Country Manager (Medical Diagnostics)

Cepheid; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Cepheid, part of Danaher, is seeking a Country Manager for South Africa. This role involves driving commercial success, leading local teams, developing partnerships in healthcare sectors, and ensuring strategic market growth. Candidates with substantial experience in diagnostics and a strong leadership presence are invited to make a significant impact in the healthcare landscape.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Work that saves lives

Qualifications

• 12+ years of total experience including at least 5+ years managing commercial teams.
• Prior experience in diagnostics, medical devices, or healthcare industry preferred.
• Fluent English required; additional local language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the country's commercial operations and execute a growth strategy.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to drive execution excellence.
• Build relationships with key accounts and government stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Cepheid Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Transform Diagnostics.

Lead with Purpose. At Cepheid, a Danaher company, we are committed to empowering healthcare through fast, accurate, and accessible molecular diagnostic testing.

Our mission—to deliver life-saving diagnostic information when and where it matters most—fuels everything we do.

Our innovations touch patients' lives across the globe, from hospitals and laboratories to remote testing sites, helping clinicians make better decisions, faster. As part of the Danaher Diagnostics platform, Cepheid works alongside five other world-class operating companies.

Together, we're advancing diagnostic science at the pace of change—improving patient outcomes and strengthening public health systems worldwide. Join us and lead a team with purpose, backed by a global organization dedicated to your growth and success.

Your Role: Country Manager

As Country Manager, you will drive Cepheid's commercial success and strategic vision within South Africa.

You will lead the local team to deliver exceptional performance across sales, market development, and customer engagement, while contributing to the region's long-term growth strategy.

You will be accountable for executing go-to-market strategies, developing strong partnerships with healthcare stakeholders, and growing Cepheid's presence in both public and private sectors.

This role combines commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and inspirational leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead the country's commercial operations, setting and executing a strategy to achieve revenue and market share growth.
2. Drive pipeline development, accurate forecasting, and performance tracking to deliver on business objectives.
3. Collaborate with regional and global teams including Marketing, Customer Care, Channel Management, and Sales Operations to drive execution excellence.
4. Build trusted relationships with key accounts, government stakeholders, KOLs, and partners to support market penetration and long-term growth.
5. Ensure Cepheid's active participation in key national tenders and strategic procurement initiatives.
6. Develop and retain high-performing talent while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous development.
7. Serve as a visible and values-driven leader, representing Cepheid internally and externally.
8. Ensure full compliance with Danaher's code of conduct, policies, and applicable regulations (e.g., FCPA, local healthcare regulations).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree is a plus.
• 12+ years of total experience, including at least 5+ years managing commercial teams.
• Prior experience in diagnostics, medical devices, or healthcare industry is strongly preferred.
• Proven success in leading teams, managing partners, and executing commercial strategies in complex markets.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate and inspire diverse teams.
• Strategic thinking with solid business acumen and analytical mindset.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, contract negotiations, and navigating healthcare systems.
• Ability to thrive in matrix organizations and multicultural environments.
• High ethical standards and a passion for healthcare impact.
• Fluent English required; additional local language skills are a plus.
• Experience with P&L responsibility is an advantage.

Training & Development

We invest in your growth. You are expected to complete all required training on time and ensure your team does the same. From onboarding to leadership development, we support your career journey every step of the way.

Why Join Cepheid?

• Because your work will save lives.
• Because your ideas will shape the future of diagnostics.
• Because at Cepheid, you won't just work—you'll make a difference.

Lead. Be part of something bigger. Join our winning team today. Together, we'll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow's science and technology.

We partner with customers across the globe to help solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life. For more information, visit Danaher. We value diversity and the existence of both similarities and differences within our workforce, workplace, and markets we serve.

Our associates, customers, and shareholders contribute unique perspectives as a result of these diverse attributes.