Oncology Brand & Customer Manager - SA & SSA

Job description

Job Description We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. As an Oncology Brand & Customer Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping brand strategy, leading cross-functional alignment, ensuring launch excellence, and delivering innovative customer-centric initiatives that support our mission of advancing prevention and treatment of disease through leading-edge science. Responsibilities · Lead the formulation, execution, and continuous optimization of brand strategies for the Oncology portfolio (selected indications and other brands as needed) . · Drive brand growth, market preparation, and launch excellence for new product introductions. · Ensure alignment of brand plans with global and regional marketing strategies, customizing global materials for local relevance. · Deliver the full marketing strategy and tactical plans, ensuring they meet performance expectations across the portfolio. · Forecast and monitor performance, adjusting strategies based on market insights and in-market performance metrics. · Manage promotional and brand-related budgets, ensuring resource allocation maximizes ROI and supports financial health of the brands. · Analyze the local and regional oncology market, identifying commercial opportunities and risks. · Understand and articulate the full Customer Buying Process, enabling effective segmentation, targeting, and engagement. · Lead and align cross-functional teams—including Sales, Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, CDx, Communications, and others—to ensure cohesive execution of brand and franchise strategies. · Coordinate with the Sales Force to ensure successful rollout and execution of marketing and promotional strategies. · Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders professionally, fostering strong partnerships that enhance brand performance. · Develop and deliver innovative, customer-centric programs aligned to preferred customer channels and needs. · Seek new, creative, and digital-first ways of interacting with customers. · Develop and execute scientific leader (SL) engagement plans across relevant markets. · Prepare and deliver key tactical components including marketing tactics, channel mix, promotional activities, and resource plans. · Track local and regional initiatives, manage budgets, and oversee reporting and business information systems required to support marketing and sales activities. · Travel locally, regionally and internationally as needed to support business needs. Qualifications Required · Relevant commercial or health sciences degree. · Minimum 5 years of pharmaceutical industry experience. · Multinational pharmaceutical company experience. · Strong understanding of the South African pharmaceutical market and regulatory environment. · Excellent written and verbal communication skills. · Demonstrated strategic thinking, initiative, and problem-solving ability. · Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple priorities, and deliver against deadlines. Preferred · Oncology sales or marketing background. · Regional SSA market experience. · Digital marketing qualification or advanced digital capability. · Market access experience. · Understanding of French (advantageous). · Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and customer-centric skills. Required Skills: Adaptability, Brand Management, Competitor Analysis, Content Creation, Customer Insights, Customer-Oriented, Data Analysis, Digital Marketing, Event Planning, Market Research, Oncology Marketing, Product Management, Strategic Thinking Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. Employee Status: Regular Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 09/23/2026 *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.