Business Unit Director Region Africa

Allergan Aesthetics; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 60 000 - 100 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in South Africa is seeking a candidate to lead strategic development and marketing for their eye-care brand portfolio. This role requires managing marketing initiatives, coordinating sales activities, and executing brand strategies. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree and substantial experience in marketing and sales management within the pharmaceutical or eye-care industry. They will be responsible for building relationships with key accounts and developing innovative strategies to expand market presence.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in marketing and sales management in the FMCG/pharmaceutical/eye-care industry in Sub-Sahara Africa.
• Ability to translate strategies into actionable marketing actions.
• Experience in product launches and business development.

Responsibilities

• Manage marketing and sales initiatives, ensuring brand strategy execution.
• Develop tailored engagement plans and negotiate commercial terms.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities for seamless execution.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Digital marketing

Team collaboration

Result-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Company Overview

AbbVie is a global science‑based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and delivering innovative medicines to solve serious health issues today and address tomorrow’s medical challenges. Our focus spans immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care, complemented by our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.

Purpose

Lead, coordinate, and facilitate strategic development, tactical implementation, and financial planning for all Sales and Marketing related aspects of the Brand Strategy. Manage customer and other commercial activities, coach the Sales Force to maximize brand sales and margin while placing the patient at the center of all efforts and operating within AbbVie’s business code of conduct, policies, and applicable laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage and execute all marketing and sales initiatives (Eye Care – Dry Eye Disease portfolio) according to the franchise Plan, including commercial Brand strategy development, tactical brand activity execution, and delivery of sales performance to exceed brand sales targets.
• Liaise with country lead functions to incorporate local insights into brand strategy planning, execution, and alignment of franchise vision and strategic objectives.
• Lead product launches, plan and roll out promotional activities, and coordinate the placement of POS materials and merchandising displays.
• Support product market expansion through innovative commercial programs, developing insights on brand issues, competitive positioning, customer segments, and market development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key accounts (wholesalers, retail chains, non‑traditional medicine vendors, optometry traders), understanding business drivers and aligning solutions to their needs.
• Develop and execute innovative market expansion programs and digital marketing initiatives, including multi‑channel strategies, strategic partnerships (traditional and non‑traditional), and targeted campaigns to drive franchise brand objectives and maximize reach.
• Coordinate cross‑functional activities (sales, supply chain, finance, regulatory) for seamless execution and brand alignment.
• Develop tailored engagement plans, negotiate commercial terms, and secure new product listings to ensure optimal market access and in‑store excellence.
• Support preparation of franchise financial planning, including financial plan, focus/update, and long‑range plan.
• Professionally manage and build cross‑functional cooperation between key stakeholders, ensuring timely and qualitative market intelligence for brand strategy and tactical communication.
• Execute distributor governance processes, ensuring engagement and management of sub‑distributors onboarding and selection consistent with the framework, processes, and compliance controls.
• Through a combination of data and real‑world insights, lead strategic discussions with the cross‑functional task force team to identify opportunities for the brand.
• Lead the task force team around a shared brand vision and objectives.
• Ensure task force members contribute to Brand strategy development through the Brand Planning process in line with the Global Brand Team (where applicable) and involve relevant functions.
• Continuously encourage task force collaboration and foster team spirit.
• Take accountability for task force activities and processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Relevant experience with a proven track record of success in marketing and sales management within FMCG/pharmaceutical/eye‑care industry in Sub‑Sahara Africa across multiple brands and team constellations.
• Result‑oriented, detail‑focused, agile, and able to meet deadlines.
• Ability to translate strategies into actionable and realistic marketing actions.
• Solid knowledge of strategic and tactical marketing principles and techniques, including digital knowledge and proven execution record.
• Fast learner, creative, flexible, with strong negotiation skills and effective team collaboration.
• Experience leading, motivating, and coordinating cross‑functional teams.
• Experience in business development case formulation and product launches.
• Solid working knowledge of healthcare, FMCG environment, and the evolving landscape with a proven sales track record.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including effective presentation abilities and the ability to communicate objectives and results to a variety of audiences.
• Solid knowledge of finance principles and processes, analytical and decision‑making skills.
• Experience in FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) and pharmacy.
• Experience in digital marketing.

Personal Qualities

• Ability to set brand vision and strategy while balancing opportunities, resources, and investments to maximize portfolio growth.
• Ability to translate vision and broad strategies into concrete, actionable strategic plans and goals, followed by execution.
• Result‑driven execution, turning strategy into flawless delivery.
• Negotiation skills to secure required resources and budget with other functions and affiliate management teams.
• Prioritization and decision‑making for efficient resource use and critical issue resolution.
• Adaptability to anticipate, adopt, execute, and adjust where relevant.
• Clear expectation setting, timely and accurate feedback, and appropriate follow‑up to build capability and effectiveness.
• Encouragement of open exchange of ideas and knowledge.
• Organizational leadership, inspiring people and communicating the bigger picture.
• Recognition, reward, and promotion of team accomplishments.
• Promotion of collaboration and removal of obstacles to teamwork across the organization.

Equal Opportunity Statement

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only – to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html