Senior Manager, Contracting & Trade Relations

Astellas Pharma; Markham; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Manager, Contracting & Trade Relations, based in Markham, Ontario. The role involves overseeing contracts and relationships with retail pharmacy chains and wholesalers, driving trade strategies, and ensuring effective distribution. Ideal candidates should have a university degree, at least 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and excellent communication skills. This hybrid position supports work-life balance with flexible arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Work-life balance

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years in trade relations, GPO, hospitals, and RFP negotiations.
• 3-5 years of project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic initiatives to maximize trade partner opportunities.
• Monitor and communicate trade inventory and service levels.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with channel partners.

Skills

Organizational skills

Strategic skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork ability

Education

University degree

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

SAP

Job description

Overview

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Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company operating in over 70 countries. We are committed to transforming innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families, focusing on unmet medical needs and conducting our business ethically and with integrity. For more information, visit our website at www.astellas.com.

Purpose

In this non-supervisory Senior Manager role, you will oversee sales, communications, contractual agreements, and relationships with customers in Canadian retail pharmacy chains, specialty pharmacies, GPOs, and wholesale distributors for Astellas Canada. You will set distribution strategies for product launches, oversee product movement and inventory levels, and develop and execute trade customer business plans aligned with distribution agreements.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Drive strategic initiatives to maximize trade partner opportunities, using data analysis to meet performance goals.
• Monitor and communicate trade inventory, service levels, purchase orders, sales KPIs, and analytics.
• Support day-to-day activities with wholesalers to ensure effective distribution.
• Notify customers of pricing, product list changes, and new contracts.
• Monitor stock levels, review inventory with Supply Chain, and mitigate penalties.
• Ensure adherence to Distribution Service Agreements and take corrective actions as needed.
• Review daily trade sales and returns to ensure compliance with policies.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with channel partners, ensuring reporting obligations are met.
• Build relationships with wholesalers, retail chains, hospitals, and GPOs to inform them about products and pricing.
• Manage GPO relationships, RFP processes, and contracts to meet revenue goals.
• Provide insights on trade channel trends and monitor distribution performance.
• Represent Astellas Pharma Canada at relevant trade associations.

Qualifications Required

• University degree
• At least 7 years of pharmaceutical industry experience
• Minimum 5 years in trade relations, GPO, hospitals, and RFP negotiations
• 3-5 years of project management experience
• Strong organizational, strategic, and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and SAP
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Teamwork ability

Working Environment

• Hybrid position based in Ontario, with in-office presence in Markham twice a week.
• Flexible working arrangements to promote work / life balance.

We are committed to equal opportunity employment, including for persons with disabilities and protected veterans.