Current Vacancies at Aspen Pharma Group

Objective: 

• To promote and generate sales on key product portfolios to pharmacies on both ethical and generic ranges. In addition to mentioned objective, the position will also be responsible for building and maintaining strong business relationships with pharmacy decision makers, in order to drive net sales revenue.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Achieve and exceed set sales targets. (Sales vs Budget)
• Constant monitoring  and driving of sales from customers, scripting from doctors and sales from pharmacies in order to meet set targets.  Sales to be driven at customer level by affective scientific detailing and use of marketing material.

Plan - Pre-call planning  on RepWise and daily

• To be done weekly on Repwise and daily prior to the customer call.  This will ensure that you are prepared for the call. If you have a manager working with you for the day, your pre-call planner must be emailed to the relevant manager, the evening before. Review the available data (Impact Rx, Z-more reports, Shortfall reports, SSD, QlikSense and Swift etc).  

Achieve Call Rate and CPA objectives

• See the required number of customers on a daily basis to achieve call rate and at the correct frequency to achieve call plan adherence.
•  Capture daily calls and activities on Rep Wise.
• Comms to be done, or as specified by the business. Final Comms to be done after the last call for each day
• Conduct Doctor or pharmacy activities in line with compliance and regulatory standards.
• Complete the required number of pharmacy trainings and Doctor/pharmacy activities as required per business and territory requirements

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Matric
• A valid driver’s license
• Tertiary qualification or certified sales profession certification would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications
• Minimum 2 or 3 years proven track record in a sales environment

Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft applications
• A sound understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
• Comprehensive understanding of business procedures.

 Skills and Attributes:

• Effective scheduling and attending of appointments and activities with Healthcare practitioners (Doctors & Pharmacies etc) in order to influence sales and meet sales targets.
• Implementing of strategies to drive sales and growth in territory
• Maintain a solid working relationship with customers and colleagues.
• Territory and customer analysis in order to identify gaps and opportunities to be acted upon.
• Excellent analytical skills to review available data
• Clear communication skills both verbally and written.
• Strong capabilities in logical reasoning in order to address and resolve queries and issues
• Influencing and negotiation skills.
• Forward thinker with the ability to work independently as well as to work as a team player.
• Good administrate skills in order to ensure that tasks are completed accurately and timeously.
• Strong work ethic.
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships (mutual trust and respect) with customers and other stakeholders.
• Good product knowledge and the ability to utilise detail material with the correct scientific messaging in order to drive sales

go to method of application »

Objective: 

• To promote and generate sales on key product portfolios to pharmacies on both ethical and generic ranges. In addition to mentioned objective, the position will also be responsible for building and maintaining strong business relationships with pharmacy decision makers, in order to drive net sales revenue.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Achieve and exceed set sales targets. (Sales vs Budget)
• Constant monitoring  and driving of sales from customers, scripting from doctors and sales from pharmacies in order to meet set targets.  Sales to be driven at customer level by affective scientific detailing and use of marketing material.

Plan - Pre-call planning  on RepWise and daily

• To be done weekly on Repwise and daily prior to the customer call.  This will ensure that you are prepared for the call. If you have a manager working with you for the day, your pre-call planner must be emailed to the relevant manager, the evening before. Review the available data (Impact Rx, Z-more reports, Shortfall reports, SSD, QlikSense and Swift etc).  

Achieve Call Rate and CPA objectives

• See the required number of customers on a daily basis to achieve call rate and at the correct frequency to achieve call plan adherence.
•  Capture daily calls and activities on Rep Wise.
• Comms to be done, or as specified by the business. Final Comms to be done after the last call for each day
• Conduct Doctor or pharmacy activities in line with compliance and regulatory standards.
• Complete the required number of pharmacy trainings and Doctor/pharmacy activities as required per business and territory requirements

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Matric
• A valid driver’s license
• Tertiary qualification or certified sales profession certification would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications
• Minimum 2 or 3 years proven track record in a sales environment

Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft applications
• A sound understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
• Comprehensive understanding of business procedures.

 Skills and Attributes:

• Effective scheduling and attending of appointments and activities with Healthcare practitioners (Doctors & Pharmacies etc) in order to influence sales and meet sales targets.
• Implementing of strategies to drive sales and growth in territory
• Maintain a solid working relationship with customers and colleagues.
• Territory and customer analysis in order to identify gaps and opportunities to be acted upon.
• Excellent analytical skills to review available data
• Clear communication skills both verbally and written.
• Strong capabilities in logical reasoning in order to address and resolve queries and issues
• Influencing and negotiation skills.
• Forward thinker with the ability to work independently as well as to work as a team player.
• Good administrate skills in order to ensure that tasks are completed accurately and timeously.
• Strong work ethic.
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships (mutual trust and respect) with customers and other stakeholders.
• Good product knowledge and the ability to utilise detail material with the correct scientific messaging in order to drive sales

go to method of application »

PURPOSE:

• To support the SA Commercial Business to realize the commercial strategy and to achieve the annual targeted growth and revenue through successful new product introductions and maintenance of current product portfolio in South Africa, by ensuring successful variation approval from SAHPRA within the committed timeframe.  The role undertakes responsibility for actively coordinating, managing and implementing the Regulatory Requirements for the South African Regulatory Variation Plan

MAIN DUTIES

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: 

• Provide input to, and project manage the South African Regulatory Plan to ensure successful ongoing delivery and progression of commercial strategy throughout the product lifecycle, which involves, but is not limited to the following:
• Assist with compilations where required
• Manage the submissions to SAHPRA, including submissions portal and/or eCTD publishing
• Work closely with SA Operations sites to priorities, planning, preventing out of stock etc
• Provide guidance to SA Ops site in variation compilation and classification
• Provide guidance on motivation for changes
• Provide guidance to SA Ops sites on regulatory pathways for regulatory changes
• Updates to artwork for technical changes when required
• Any other activities assigned by the Manager
• Actively follow up with regulatory authorities where there are delays in receiving recommendations/RFI’s.  
• Actively monitor and trend Regulatory Authority response times to provide as accurate as possible estimated variation approval times to the business and stakeholders. 
• Respond to the recommendations within specified SAHPRA timelines and internal timelines.  
• Ensure optimal tracking of the status of all variation applications filed (including MAH transfers), to ensure accurate, real-time reporting using Excel spreadsheets and Project Management Tool. 
• Evaluate the flow of projects and workload against established timelines and constantly re-evaluate activities based on changing requirements. 
• Negotiate and communicate effectively with other Aspen offices, regulatory authorities and third parties

QUALITY MANAGEMENT:

• Ensure systems and procedures are in place in accordance with RA QMS and that these are maintained and trained according to the relevant SOP’s
• Setting and achievement of KPI’s
• Manage Trackwise/QAlign change controls, deviations and CAPA’s, ensuring timeous input and actions in order to progress the records to close-out. 
• Provide input, ensure compliance with current and future dossier management systems (Veeva RIM) 
• Prepare for, attend, and manage self-inspections, internal and external audits as required. 
• Compile weekly or monthly progress reports to provide accurate reporting to senior management. 
• Ensure that risks and issues that could potentially negatively impact the Regulatory Plan, are timeously escalated to senior management. 
• Provide input into budgets, ensure timely preparation, and ensure budgets are adhered to, bringing to the attention of senior management any potential deviations from the budget. 
• General project management.  
• Ensure that the required regulatory input is provided for artwork progression to ensure artwork compliance     with the registered product dossier. 
• Ensure that annual retention fees are paid by due dates, to maintain MA’s. 
• Ensure compliance of the registered product dossier in preparation of relaunches
• Inform relevant Aspen entities/departments of changes to regulations/legislation i.e. regulatory intelligence. 
• Close cooperation with work streams to support cross-functional management, including knowledge sharing. 
• Maintain and enhance cross-functional team relationships. 
• Lead, manage, train and mentor a team of Regulatory Affairs Pharmacists, Officers and Assistants, which includes, but is not limited to the following:
• Allocating, coordinating, and reviewing day-to-day tasks to ensure optimal performance 
• Managing workload for optimal performance against set KPIs and timelines 
• Determine priorities and manage resource to ensure the Regulatory Plan is achieved 
• Manage and review performance against set KPI’s 
• Preparation of regular progress reports regarding assigned tasks 
• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements 
• Facilitate regular team meetings 
• Assess training needs, prepare, manage, and implement training programs whilst minimizing cost and downtime

 

TEAM MANAGEMENT:

• Create ways of doing things differently and more effectively within the department
• Challenge current ways of working with a view to suggesting more effective and efficient processes.
• Accomplish staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counselling, and disciplining employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards

• Adhere to Company Health & Safety procedures
• Participate in training programmes
• Any other duties as assigned by RA Manager

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 

 Matric

• Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, or equivalent life sciences degree 
• Minimum 4 to 6 years experience in a Regulatory Affairs environment, including submission and management of new product     
• applications, and variations in accordance with the latest requirements.
• 2-3 years of managerial experience in a Regulatory Affairs environment is preferred.
• Experience within the pharmaceutical industry in a production, quality, and/or clinical environment would be an advantage 
• Project management experience.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Integrity, good work ethic and ability to meet deadline 
• Team management and leadership skills. 
• Excellent Interpersonal skills, including interpersonal and cultural sensitivity, listening and empathy 
• Conflict resolution 
• Positive Attitude 
• Strategic planning. 
• Effective organisation skills and ability to prioritize. 
• Manage evolving deadlines effectively with regular feedback and updates. 
• Understanding of the needs and priorities of the customer; Customer focused 
• Information seeking 
• Use of effective questioning to establish and understand requests. 
• Self-starter. 
• Problem solving skills. 
• Accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Ability to work under pressure  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced international environment 
• Ability to manage projects in a matrixed team environment and with both internal and external partners.
• Presentation skills. 
• Time management. 
• Service orientation. 
• Decision making skills. 
• Self-confidence. 
• Organisational awareness. 
• Logical thinking. 
• A solutions provider  
• Enthusiasm and drive to take ownership and drive process initiatives
• Occasional travel may form part of the job 

KNOWLEDGE

• A solid understanding of The Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 OF 1965 and Regulations (South Africa) 
• Deep technical knowledge of the CTD 
• Comprehensive knowledge of SAHPRA and SADC Guidelines 
• Computer literate 

go to method of application »

ROLE PURPOSE:

Oversee the Group Portfolio Development team to evaluate, advise and deliver scientific, well-researched strategic product opportunities efficiently and effectively.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

Driving organic growth

• Initiate and support the Aspen Group and Affiliate organic growth initiatives via new product introduction and/or assessment
• Contribute to the portfolio decision-making and prioritisation of strategic initiatives through collaborating with stakeholders within Aspen, including, but not limited to, Regulatory, Medical, Strategic & Portfolio Development, Commercial, Marketing and Finance
• Support key strategic business development initiatives in analysis and evaluation
• Drive an inclusive and collaborative environment across affiliates to attain the organisation’s organic growth objectives
• Review, validate and interrogate PnLs and provide sound strategic advice 

Portfolio analysis and evaluation

• Critically evaluate new product opportunities and M&A opportunities to ensure they are commercially sound and value-creating prior to significant investment of resources (financial and time)
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the pharma industry, products and market dynamics of each international territory in order to identify and optimise business opportunities
• Make recommendations using both a sense of what is correct and logical, supported by facts and figures
• Ensure buy-in of product development opportunities based on critical analysis and challenge assumptions
• Evaluate, manage and utilise competitive intelligence platforms 
• Work independently and engage on a strategic level internally/externally
• Provide and communicate insights into molecules, product lifecycle, competitive landscape and market dynamics (current and future) 
• Sourcing of new potential licensors for molecules to in-license, initial screening and discussion of high level terms
• Attendance of affiliate portfolio calls and assisting with queries raised by the relevant teams be it licensor, internal IP or New Products
• Assist to identify, make contact with, CDA execution and sending draft proposals to potential partners
• Assist the screening of new opportunities, in line with Aspen’s strategy
• Support portfolio review and undertake IMS assessment for portfolio acquisition opportunities being evaluated by Chief Strategic Development Officer
• uide the Group Portfolio Development Coordinator and align on opportunities to be shared, reviewing queries received from internal and external customers

Team management

• Effectively manage, coach, guide and empower the Portfolio Development team to remain engaged, motivated and, realise its potential to deliver the set objectives successfully
• Oversee the Group Portfolio Development team to deliver scientific, well researched strategic product opportunities efficiently and effectively 

Reporting

• Track and present to senior management top key priority organic growth opportunities on agreed upon intervals
• Maintain accurate reflection of the 5-year pipeline to the Aspen Group

Customer engagement

• Serve as strategic and scientific interface between the Product Portfolio Development team, M&A Team and internal/external customers

 

 

Requirements

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• B Pharmacy Degree (advantageous) or Science Degree with Post-Grad  
• Computer literacy is a must
• 15 years experience in the Pharma industry
• Sales and marketing experience essential
• New Business Development experience essential
• Knowledge of Global regulatory requirements is an advantage
• Previous management experience
• Experience in working with different business units and interactions between business units
• Financial knowledge essential
• Knowledge of internal Aspen business and processes
• Good knowledge of contracts
• Product knowledge
• Pharmaceutical Industry knowledge
• Financial Acumen
• Knowledge of cost structures
• Project administration
• Database manipulation skills MS Excel
• Research skills – Archives and Internet
• High proficiency in both verbal and written English is essential

WORK-SPECIFIC SKILLS & EXPOSURE:

• Experience within the Pharmaceutical Industry in New Business Development and Portfolio processes;
• Pharmaceutical sales and marketing experience
• Market regulatory requirement knowledge an advantage
• Experience in evaluation and providing insights on molecule development, product lifecycles and market dynamics 

SKILLS:

• Time management; problem-solving; analytical; service orientation 
• Relationship management with strong interpersonal skills – internal and external 
• Critical reasoning skills – facilitate contract interpretation and negotiation
• Computer proficiency (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Email, Internet) 
• Sound and logical reasoning based on facts and figures
• Efficient communicator
• Work in a matrix-structure
• Creative and solution-oriented
• Able to operate within a team environment

ATTRIBUTES:

• Initiative; discretion; integrity; resilient; dependable, decisive with sound judgment; customer-focused interpersonal sensitivity; patience; influence; attention to detail; logical thinking; information-seeking, enterprising, technical; emotional intelligence, self-motivated and tenacity

KNOWLEDGE:

• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Pharmaceutical product knowledge

ASPEN COMPETENCIES:

Business

• PERFORMANCE DRIVEN - Initiative, multi-tasking, result-oriented, systems thinking, planning and organisational skills
• ACCOUNTABILITY AND OWNERSHIP - Focus, Visioning, Cooperation, Proactive, Responsibility and Accountability, Resilience

People

• DEALS WITH AMBIGUITY AND EMBRACES CHANGE - Flexibility and tolerance, transition management, capacity for and resistance to stress, perseverance and tenacity
• COMMUNICATES EFFECTIVELY – Informal communication, active listening skills, writing skills, presentation skills, meeting facilitation, empathy

Self

• CONTRIBUTES SPECIAL EXPERTISE – technical/ professional knowledge, industry knowledge
• TAKES ACTION WITH ACTION WITH INTEGRITY - personal responsibility, self-assurance, honesty, ethical conduct.