Marketing Manager – South & Sub-Saharan Africa (IVD Diagnostics)

Danaher - Global; Centurion; Remote; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare diagnostics company is seeking a Marketing Manager for South Africa to drive marketing strategies across diagnostic portfolios. The role involves developing marketing plans, leading a regional team, and executing customer engagement initiatives. Candidates should have a background in marketing or life sciences, with at least 5 years of experience in the healthcare or diagnostics sector. Remote work options are available, and the position offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 15% incentive bonus.

Benefits

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Car allowance

School bursaries

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in healthcare or diagnostics marketing, ideally in emerging markets.
• Proven success in portfolio marketing and campaign execution.
• Strong understanding of the healthcare landscape in South and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

• Develop specific marketing plans and activities for products.
• Lead a regional marketing team and execute marketing strategies.
• Conduct ongoing market research to inform marketing actions.

Skills

Leadership

Market analysis

Project management

Digital marketing

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or Life Sciences

Master’s preferred

Tools

Oracle

Business Objects

SFDC

SharePoint

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

Bring more to life. Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a Danaher operating company, focuses on improving patient outcomes through diagnostic solutions used in hospitals, reference and research laboratories, and physician offices worldwide. Our work aims to innovate for tangible impact and drive continuous improvement across the organization.

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and regionally attuned Marketing Manager to lead marketing efforts across all diagnostic portfolios in South and Sub-Saharan Africa. This role drives commercial success, enhances brand visibility, and delivers customer-centric marketing initiatives across Clinical Chemistry, Immunoassay, Haematology, Microbiology & Urinalysis, and Automation & IT Solutions.

The successful candidate will be a strong leader with deep market knowledge, capable of translating global strategies into impactful regional execution while managing and developing a high-performing marketing team.

Role and Responsibilities

1. The Marketing Manager South Africa is responsible for developing specific marketing plans and activities for products or product lines to establish, enhance or distinguish product placement within the competitive arena. Develops business plans and product positioning in the marketplace. Oversees market research, monitors competitive activity, and identifies customer needs. Establishes pricing strategies. Works with global engineering, manufacturing and sales to develop new products or enhance existing products or product lines. This position reports to the Commercial Director - South & Sub-Saharan Africa and is part of the Product Marketing & Group Marketing Department in Samrand Gauteng and will be working remotely to cover the South African Region.
2. People Leadership – In this role you will lead a highly talented regional marketing team, including multiple product management positions and a Tender & Pricing Project Manager.
3. Strategic Marketing Leadership – Develop and execute regional marketing strategies aligned with global portfolio objectives and local commercial goals; lead annual marketing planning; identify growth opportunities across public and private sectors, including emerging markets and underserved segments.
4. Portfolio Management – Serve as regional marketing lead for all diagnostic portfolios, localize product launches and lifecycle strategies, monitor performance, and adjust tactics to optimize market share and profitability.
5. Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis – Conduct ongoing market research, develop insights to inform positioning, pricing, and promotions; maintain understanding of regulatory, reimbursement, and procurement environments across South and SSA.
6. Integrated Campaign Development – Design multi-channel campaigns (digital, print, events, PR), collaborate with agencies and internal teams, and track KPIs (lead generation, engagement, conversion, ROI).
7. Commercial Enablement – Develop sales tools, training materials, and messaging guides; align with sales, service, and applications teams; support tender submissions and strategic account marketing with tailored collateral.
8. Customer Engagement & Experience – Enhance customer experience through educational programs, webinars, user groups; build relationships with key opinion leaders and laboratory stakeholders; establish voice-of-customer feedback loops.
9. Event & Conference Management – Plan regional participation in industry events; coordinate logistics, speaker engagement, and post-event follow-up; ensure brand consistency across touchpoints.
10. Digital Marketing & CRM – Drive digital engagement (email, social, website); utilize CRM tools to segment audiences and personalize outreach; analyze metrics to refine targeting.
11. Budget & Vendor Management – Manage regional budgets and oversee external vendors to ensure timely, quality outputs; ensure compliance with policies and local regulations.
12. Leadership & Team Management – Lead, mentor, and develop the regional marketing team; set objectives, provide feedback, and support career development; promote cross-functional collaboration and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
13. Cross-Functional Collaboration – Act as liaison between regional commercial teams and global marketing; participate in strategic planning, forecasting, and business reviews.

Essential Requirements

• Accountability for the performance and results of a team within own area of specialty
• Ability to adapt departmental plans to address resource and operational challenges
• Decision-making guided by policies and business plans; guidance from manager
• Provides technical guidance to associates, colleagues and/or customers
• Manages one or more generally homogeneous teams; adapts plans to meet short-term service and/or operational challenges
• Develops marketing plans and product positioning; oversees market research and pricing strategies; collaborates with engineering, manufacturing and sales
• Provides pre- and/or post-sales support; links marketing programs to sales initiatives; gathers customer feedback
• Educates customers and provides training; may participate in sales meetings

Knowledge / Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Life Sciences, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in healthcare or diagnostics marketing, ideally in emerging markets
• Experience in IVD / Medical Devices industry
• Beckman Coulter/HBS Core or Negotiation Mastery certification is a plus
• Leadership and/or management training certifications are a plus
• Business management and/or marketing diploma is a plus
• System knowledge: Oracle, Business Objects, SFDC and SharePoint; Workday experience a plus
• Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel; funnel management and product lifecycle experience
• Proven success in portfolio marketing, campaign execution, and cross-functional collaboration
• Demonstrated leadership experience with direct team management
• Strong understanding of the healthcare landscape in South and Sub-Saharan Africa
• Excellent communication, analytical, and project management skills
• Willingness to travel across the region

Travel & Other Requirements

• Ability to travel – up to 40% travel; overnight stays within territory
• Must have a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record

Desirable Additional Experience

It would be a plus if you also possess prior experience in technical domains, leadership development, and cross-functional product promotion and training tasks.

Why Join Us

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics offers a purpose-driven environment focused on advancing diagnostics and improving patient outcomes. You will lead a talented regional marketing team, shape portfolio leadership, and engage with customers to solve complex challenges.

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics is a Danaher operating company and offers comprehensive benefits. For details, see the Danaher Benefits Info page.

We support flexible, remote working arrangements for eligible roles, with clear information provided during the interview process. This position is eligible for remote work from home where applicable.

This job is eligible for a 15% incentive bonus/incentive pay. Benefits include paid time off, medical, car allowance, car insurance, and school bursaries to eligible employees.

Note: Compensation details are at the company’s discretion and subject to change. For more information, visit www.danaher.com.

Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology.