Product Specialist - Cardiovascular Medical Devices | Johannesburg

Areas of Responsibility

Responsible for development, measuring and implementation and execution of the marketing strategy, by working with the Business Unit Manager and Sales Teams, resulting in achieving and exceeding both sales and profitability goals for the Cardiovascular Cardiovascular and Woundclot Business. Driving optimisation of the educational activities and addressing the educational needs of both Employees and Customers for this portfolio.

Clear responsibility and accountability of the following SBUs:

Cardiovascular and Woundclot Portfolio

Marketing:

Ensuring finalisation of the yearly strategic marketing plans are done on time;
Assisting the Sales Managers with sales budgeting per territory for the Cardiovascular portfolio of products and achieving these budgets;
Effective implementation of tactical plan;
Effective marketing activities including congresses, customer workshops and educational events;
Responsible for authorisation from funders when needed;
Product training and evaluation done to improve Sales Consultants knowledge;
Evaluation, analysis and reporting on Competitors products and strategies, and driving appropriate business responses;
Responsible for any market research needed to obtain full market access prior to launch of products;
Reporting marketing growth opportunities to the Business Unit Manager;
Analysing customer base together with Sales Consultants and Sales Managers;
Assess by customer on how many endoscopic and open Vascular procedures are performed, to determine market share;
Reading and responding to Sales Consultants weekly reports if needed from a marketing perspective;
Communicating with the Business Unit Manager on market coverage;
Identification and development of new business opportunities;
Forecasting and maintenance of allocated COTs in region.
Assist management with Journal clubs and workshop/VISTA meetings and various conferences as needed;
Assist the Sales Manager with the sales budgeting per territory for the SBU
Effective implementation of tactical plan;
Effective marketing activities including congresses and customer workshops and educational events;
Weekly calls to customers and new prospects;
Effective promotion of all products offered by oyr Client;
Sales knowledge to allow for effective selling of product features and benefits;
Evaluation, analyses and reporting on Competitors products, drive strategies and driving appropriate business responses;

Customer Relations:

In product and marketing capacity, establish a network with the stakeholders in the Hospitals, Physicians and Key Opinion Leaders. Build and maintain strong relations with all stakeholders, including customers, payors, government and employees in representing our full line of products and services;
Attending key appointments with Sales Consultants, Sales Managers and Business Unit Manager when needed with existing and potential customers;
Gather customer requirements in corporation with Sales Manager to ensure customer satisfaction;
Assist with the successful congresses and training workshops when needed;
Identify the correct customers to attend product training to ensure an ROI;
Manage relationships with Suppliers Regional Managers and Product Managers;
Maintain good relations and communication with internal customers i.e. Customer Services, Finance Department, Logistics and Management;
Customer profiling and mapping tools to grow product families according to the customer needs but in line with our business strategy and focus products.

Sales Reports and Administration:

Achieve monthly and quarterly sales budgets for the SBU;
Achieve annual sales budgets per SBU;
Expense claims handed in on time as per the schedule received from Finance with correct cost allocations;
Monthly reports to the BUM submitted before 5th of month;
Monthly call reports and weekly call planners to be sent to the BUM;

Budget Management and Administration:

Monitoring Sales turnover in co-operation with Sales Managers and BUM;
Achieving monthly and quarterly sales budgets for the SBU;

Achieving annual sales budgets per SBU;

Expense claims handed in on time as per the schedule received from Finance with correct cost allocations;
Monthly reporting to the Business Unit Manager;
Compliance to regulatory SOPs, SA Regulations and Code of Business Ethics;
Maintaining the Companys ethical position;
Effective communication and management of Company Business Conduct policies.

Market access process:

Responsible for product registration processes including: Nappi Coding;
Funding approval from all Medical Aid Funds;
Registration and approval with Hospital Groups.

Training:

Maintaining a high level of motivation to ensure marketing function is well directed;

Preparation and conducting of presentations at Sales Consultants meeting and management meetings;
Assisting Sales Consultants with product queries and/or technical/clinical application information;
Managing the portfolio by living the Company values;
Identifying and implementation of education events for customers to achieve growth;
Managing the implementation of workshop activities with Sales Team and Customers;
Training new customers on Cardiovascular products;
Identifying workshops and educational events that will deliver an ROI and result in product growth;
Participating in company business- and sales-meetings and providing input to Senior Management concerning outcome on all training events;
Attending and responsible for planning of all congresses identified;
Visits across the country to assist with targets for business units
Planning and organizing of expert meetings/workshops with key customers when needed.

Administrative duties:

Adhering to credit policies and procedures of the Group;
Maintaining all administrative responsibilities associated with this position; monthly reporting on marketing activities;
Ensuring all product and marketing activities comply with legal and ethical standards;
Managing business expenses within the marketing budget provided;
Adhering to any legal or medical requirements and informing management of changed requirements;
Submitting monthly reports to Senior Management. Reporting on variance between actual and budget and implementing corrective strategies where needed.

Stock Management:

This entails managing the stock dashboard on a monthly basis and staying within directed ratios;
Stock rotation and slow-moving identification and returns;
Accurate forecasting in stock no stock outages unless due to supplier issues;
Management and rotation of Cardiovascular Stock;
Responsible for management of emergency kit procedures that may be implemented in the SBU, and evaluating the effectiveness;
Attending monthly stock meetings with Senior Management.

Requirements

Qualifications

Grade 12 (Matric) is a minimum requirement;
A relevant degree or diploma is an advantage;
Any medical-management or -marketing qualification would be a definite advantage.

Experience Required

Previous Vascular Graft and Stent experience;
Medical experience is a preference and previous experience in a similar position such as Vascular or any experience in the Medical Industry would be an advantage;
Knowledge of the Vascular Intervention solutions role players and industry needed;
Knowledge of endoscopic and open Vascular procedures needed;
Clinical and product knowledge will be a definite advantage;
Existing relationships with Vascular Surgeons customer base will be a definite advantage;
A minimum of 2 years experience in Vascular Therapies;
Computer literacy and proficiency on MS Office, specifically Excel (level 2 at least) and MS Word is a requirement for this position;

Skills/Competencies

Advanced planning and organizational skills;
Excellent written & verbal communication skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Negotiation skills;
Project management skills;
Knowledge of marketing analysis, practices, strategies, planning;
Strong analytical, organizational and decision-making skills;
Strong business & financial acumen to influence key business decisions based on business analysis;
Strong understanding of business and financial drivers;
Strong influencing skills to present new ideas promoting collaboration and generate buy-in;
Ability to work independently and as a team member, while using discretion in decision making and sound judgment in problem solving;
Demonstrated follow-through, initiative, attention to detail and drive for continuous improvement;
High level of energy and stress tolerance required;
Ability to work well under pressure and maintain positive, enthusiastic attitude;
High level of motivation and vision and results orientated;
Ability to work effectively in a team environment and build strong working relationships;
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines;
Time management to be efficient;
Work Ethics;
Ability to travel extensively in the country and when needed to travel abroad;
Knowledge of the sales process that supports marketing activities, with the ability to understand & interpret customer needs using fact-finding to identify sales opportunities;
Proficient in Microsoft Office specially Excel at an advanced level and PowerPoint and Outlook;
Integrity, responsive, high commitment;
Desire to win with a drive on results;
Strong leadership skills, a leader whose personal and professional behaviour is aligned to the Group values.