International Business Development Manager – East, Central & Southern Africa (PSS07656)

Role Summary:

We are looking for a strategic and experienced International Business Development Manager to lead pharmaceutical expansion across East, Central, and Southern African countries. The ideal candidate should have extensive knowledge of local business dynamics, tender processes, distributor ecosystems, and regulatory pathways in the region.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Market Expansion Strategy:

• Build and execute a robust expansion strategy across key countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Cameroon, Angola, and others.
• Identify high-potential markets and therapeutic gaps to introduce relevant product portfolios.

2. Government & Tender Business:

• Liaise with Ministries of Health, national medical stores (e.g., Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, National Medical Stores Uganda), and institutional buyers.
• Track and participate in government tenders, health programs, and NGO-funded procurement (e.g., Global Fund, USAID, UNICEF).

3. Distributor Development & Management:

• Identify, evaluate, appoint, and manage reliable local distribution partners in each country.
• Provide partners with training, marketing support, and compliance guidelines.

4. Regulatory & Compliance:

• Coordinate with internal regulatory teams and local agents to complete product registration in compliance with each country's drug authority.
• Ensure documentation meets WHO-GMP/CPP/local dossier formats.

5. Sales Planning & Performance:

• Forecast market-wise sales, set targets, and monitor monthly performance.
• Recommend and implement corrective measures where necessary to ensure consistent growth.

6. Marketing & Promotions:

• Customize product positioning and packaging as per local requirements.
• Participate in key regional pharma events such as Medic East Africa, Africa Health Expo, and country-specific healthcare summits.

7. Cross-functional Coordination:

• Work closely with supply chain, QA, and finance to ensure timely delivery, quality adherence, and documentation.

8. Compliance & Ethics:

• Adhere to country-specific trade, tax, and compliance regulations.
• Uphold company policies, especially in relation to anti-bribery and export controls.

Key Markets Covered:

• East Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Seychelles
• Central Africa: DR Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe
• Southern Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Reunion, Sudan

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or International Business. MBA preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in pharmaceutical business development across African markets.
• Hands-on knowledge of product registration, tendering, and distribution models in Africa.
• Familiarity with NGO/UN procurement systems and regional harmonization efforts (e.g., EAC, SADC, ZAZIBONA).
• Strong interpersonal, commercial, and cultural adaptability skills.
• Proficient in English; knowledge of French or Portuguese is a significant advantage.
• Willingness to travel (35–40%) across assigned countries.

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