About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people's health. We are constantly advancing the future of healthcare by anticipating changes in medical science and technology and delivering innovative solutions that improve lives worldwide.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do meaningful work, grow professionally, and be your authentic self while making a lasting impact on people's health. We offer:

• Career development opportunities within a global organization.
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Recognition as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies and one of the world's best employers.
• A workplace that values diversity, innovation, and employee well-being.
• The opportunity to work with leading healthcare and nutrition brands that improve lives globally.

The Opportunity

This position is based in Johannesburg within Abbott's Nutrition Division. Our science-based nutrition portfolio supports people through every stage of life, from infant and child nutrition to adult and specialized nutritional products. Our leading brands, including Similac®, PediaSure®, Ensure®, and Glucerna®, help millions of people live healthier lives every day.

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Commercial Director to lead and accelerate business growth across the assigned region. This role is responsible for delivering sustainable revenue growth, profitability, market expansion, and commercial excellence while ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

The Commercial Director will provide strategic leadership across sales, distribution, market access, customer engagement, and talent development, while building strong partnerships with key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy & Business Growth

• Develop and execute regional commercial strategies aligned with divisional and organizational objectives.
• Drive achievement of sales, market share, and profitability targets.
• Identify new business opportunities, market trends, and growth drivers within the healthcare, nutrition, and consumer health sectors.
• Lead business planning processes, including annual operating plans, sales forecasts, and performance reviews.

Sales & Distribution Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire high-performing sales teams to achieve business objectives.
• Establish clear sales targets and performance metrics and ensure robust execution across the region.
• Oversee distributor relationships and ensure effective route-to-market strategies.
• Ensure effective management of sales operations, customer service, distribution, inventory management, credit collections, and invoicing processes.
• Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions where required.

Market Access & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and strengthen market access strategies within both public and private healthcare sectors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government stakeholders, healthcare professionals, key opinion leaders, distributors, and strategic customers.
• Lead high-level negotiations and commercial discussions with key accounts and partners.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to maximize market penetration and customer engagement.

Brand & Market Development

• Ensure successful introduction and commercialization of new products and product enhancements.
• Oversee trade marketing and customer activation initiatives to ensure strong brand visibility and availability.
• Analyze market intelligence and competitive activity to inform strategic decision-making.
• Develop initiatives that improve customer experience and strengthen Abbott's market position.

Financial & Operational Management

• Own regional commercial budgets and ensure responsible financial management.
• Monitor business performance indicators, including sales growth, profitability, market share, and operational effectiveness.
• Forecast future business requirements, including personnel, resources, and capital investments.
• Ensure efficient inventory planning and stock flow management.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, coach, and develop diverse, high-performing teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership aligned with Abbott's values and organizational goals.
• Lead change management initiatives and drive organizational effectiveness.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure compliance with all Abbott policies, industry regulations, and applicable healthcare standards.
• Operate within Abbott's Quality System requirements and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.
• Monitor and mitigate business risks while ensuring regulatory compliance across all commercial activities.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in health sciences, Business, Commerce, Marketing, or a related field.
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 10+ years of within Nutrition, Pharmaceutical, Consumer Health, FMCG, or OTC sectors with atleast 4 years within commercial leadership role.
• Proven track record of delivering sustainable sales growth, market expansion, and profitability.
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed commercial teams.
• Strong understanding of the South African healthcare landscape, market dynamics, and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in distributor management and channel development.
• Experience engaging with government entities, healthcare funders, regulatory bodies, and senior-level stakeholders.
• Market access experience within both public and private sectors is highly desirable.