Brand Manager

SUMMARY:
Brand Manager wanted in one of the big Pharmaceutical companies

POSITION INFO:

Job Description

• The role will be responsible for leading on uncovering customer (Health Care Professionals) insights, using strategic market data and analysis to support the development of the brand / molecule strategy;
• They will be responsible for supporting the life cycle planning (strategic and marketing), messaging development, implementation, and execution of tactical plans, integrating cross functional partners and relationship management (internal and external) for successful marketing solutions in alignment with global and affiliate strategy;

Responsibilities:

Analysis:

External Market Analysis / Monitoring:

• Review marketplace data and make recommendations from brand / molecule implications and actions;
• Follow up on research in partnership with market researchers / agency as needed to investigate implications and draw conclusions;
• Communicate information about the market and insights to support with brand strategy;
• Good market understanding of healthcare environment, current and future competitor actions;
• Identification of key consumer insights for brand in partnership with market research and agency partners;
• Develop a deep understanding of the consumer target;

Internal Analysis:

• Contribute to the marketing plan by utilising and building upon knowledge of brand history, heritage, and evolution;
• Use analysis to understand customer insights, identify Moments of Truth (MOTs), use SWOT analysis to identify opportunities and issues;

Planning:

• Participate in and contribute to strategy development by actively participating and listening to insight generation activities across key players / cross-functional experts and identify opportunities / challenges;
• Develop a strategic plan under guidance;
• Participate in brand planning process and meetings;
• Identify gaps between strategy and clinical / publication / product development plans that affect the life cycle of the brand / molecule;

Marketing Planning:

• Use knowledge of the elements of the marketing mix, other marketing tools, customer journey and “Moments of Truth” to develop local marketing plans with clear objectives;
• Identify and apply the “Launch Readiness Framework: to prepare for launch success in line with local market needs;
• Plan brand activities in line with local processes and policies to ensure positive customer experience;
• Remove barriers that will prohibit the organisation from delivering a positive customer experience;
• Identify the pre-market conditioning activities that may be necessary to commercialise a molecule;
• Develop a commercialisation plan with guidance;
• Use working knowledge of standard pharmaceutical promotional practices to gain insight into short-term and future trends;
• Ensure brand tactics and insights are data driven;
• Identify insights for brand partnership with the organisation’s market research;

Implementation and Execution of Brand Strategy:

• Ability to update and reflect market strategy to reflect emerging / changing trends;
• Identify and implement multi-channel engagement brand solutions in collaboration with Digital marketing Manager;
• Recommend specific marketing tactics based on promotional mix, interpretation of published medical data, etc;
• Ability to test, monitor, evaluate marketing tactics and adjust marketing plans accordingly;
• Use appropriate project management tools to oversee plans and ensure that key milestones are met against specified timelines;
• Influence cross-functional decision making, particularly as it pertains to developing insights-based marketing strategies to improve consumer outcomes;
• Comfortable with discussion / presentation to Management / Leadership;
• Manage vendors and groups involved with tactical development and implementation;
• Create internal communication plans with tailored messaging for key stakeholders;
• Utilise data and analytics to track key execution measures and inform key internal stakeholders;
• Actively collaborate and liaise with field-based employees to understand customer needs and to execute tactical plans accordingly;
• Review production stocking and inventory process indicators to meet sales forecasts;
• Ensure risk management through compliance with all consumer marketing guidelines, good promotional practices, privacy policies, and other policies and procedures;
• Ensure financial management through tracking and managing budget for consumer tactics including reconciliation;
• Where necessary make recommendations for financial trade-offs as needed;
• Embrace new corporate / regional / affiliate strategic directions and new initiatives such as selling models and multi-channel customer engagement where appropriate;

External Relationship management:

• Implement initiatives with key stakeholders that are important in supporting the brand strategy;
• Develop relationships with key Thought-Leaders, patient support groups and other healthcare organisations in related therapeutic areas to understand partnerships, environment shaping and alignment with the organisation’s objectives;
• Effectively manage agency relationships to support brand strategy and tactics;

Internal Relationship Management:

• Partner closely with functions that are integral to the brand’s / molecule’s success (e.g., Sales, medical, Corporate Affairs and Pricing, Reimbursement and Market Access) on a local, regional, and global level;
• Participate in and contribute to cross-regional initiatives related to the brand strategy;
• Actively seek feedback

Measurement:

• Monitor and evaluate marketing tactics and adjusting plans accordingly;
• Interpret results, communicate issues / risks, and identify opportunities for improvement;
• Regularly monitor progress in metrics in partnership with management and support functions;
• Make recommendations to management based on the interpretation of results and brand / market knowledge;
• Be able to answer key management / leadership questions;

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• A four-year tertiary qualification is required (mandatory) – preferably with a major in one of the following areas: Pharmacy, Engineering, Finance, Marketing, Business Administration;
• A PDM or PDBA qualification would be advantageous;

Experience:

• Up to 4 years work experience – ideally in Pharma, Consulting, FMCG or Telecommunications environment, or with Sales and Key Account Management experience;
• Experience of condensing complex issues into simple solutions;
• Desired: Strong adoption and execution of digital marketing tools;

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and strategic-thinking skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work with strict deadlines and under pressure;
• Strong command of Microsoft Excel and Power Point;
• Excellent command of English language;
• High learning agility and willingness to learn new skills;
• Ability to work effectively and deliver results within a complex and changing environment;
• Higher achiever, enthusiastic, able to energise and motivate others;

Other Role Requirements:

• Ability to travel 10-35% of the time;
• May require both domestic and international travel;
• May require evening / weekend work;
• Must be legally permitted to work in South Africa.

NB! This job is now closed. You can apply for other jobs by uploading your CV.