Job Description

The Brand & Customer Manager (BCM) is a key member of the Vaccines & Pharma Alliance Markets team, responsible for North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo. The BCM will identify brand growth opportunities, define portfolio priorities, and ensure the development and execution of effective marketing plans for the vaccines and pharma portfolio across the assigned markets.

This role is responsible for launch excellence, ongoing business optimization, and building strong customer relationships that support improved patient outcomes and public health. The BCM works closely with cross-functional teams to create a highly effective customer experience and deliver value to physicians, healthcare professionals, patients, and payers.

Key Responsibilities:

Brand and Marketing Excellence

• Identify brand growth opportunities and establish portfolio priorities for assigned markets.

• Develop, implement, and follow up on marketing and commercial plans in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• Ensure execution of approved action plans with the sales team.

• Prepare markets for successful product launches and ensure full launch readiness.

• Develop promotional and non-promotional materials and programs by customizing global and regional assets for local market needs, or creating local materials as required.

• Obtain approvals for materials, head office activities, and marketing events through relevant systems and processes.

• Support digital initiatives, including approved email campaigns, digital events, MCM activities, customer solutions projects, and communication plans.

• Collaborate with support functions to conduct market research and analysis.

• Prepare business cases for new products and submit required forms and documentation.

• Monitor the competitive landscape and provide insights on competitor products.

Customer Focus

• Engage regularly with top customers across the market to strengthen relationships and improve patient health outcomes.

• Conduct frequent field visits to gain deeper market understanding and customer insights.

• Work closely with the vaccines team to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of promotional materials and programs.

• Support customer segmentation and targeting together with the field force.

• Participate in KSL/speaker briefings for company-organized events where the BCM is the owner.

Business Operations

• Develop sales and expense forecasts in collaboration with the Vaccines & Pharma Lead.

• Contribute to demand forecasting in coordination with the Vaccines & Pharma Lead.

• Prepare data and business cases for relevant tenders in collaboration with the Vaccines & Pharma Lead and Alliance Manager.

• Conduct regular portfolio analysis.

• Support the management and development of P&L and contribute to market growth.

Travel

• Travel approximately 20% regionally and internationally as required to support the role, customer engagement, field visits, and business activities across the assigned markets.

What We Are Looking For:

Education & Experience

• Healthcare-related education; Bachelor’s or university degree from an accredited institution, preferably in Medicine or Pharmacy.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Preferable experience in vaccines and pharma products, including launch of new products.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to influence without authority in a matrix organization.

• Proven capability to develop and execute action plans in cross-functional teams.

• Strong analytical, project planning, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Language Skills

• Fluent written and spoken English is required.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a dynamic and cross-functional team driving growth across multiple markets.

• Play a key role in shaping marketing strategy, launch excellence, and customer engagement.

• Work in a role with strong exposure to commercial planning, portfolio management, and business development.

• Contribute to improving patient health outcomes and public health across the region.

• Join an environment that values collaboration, ownership, and impact.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Agile Methodology, Animal Health Sales, Brand Growth, Business Case Development, Communication, Communication Management, Competitive Markets, Consumer Healthcare, Creative Campaign Development, Customer Segmentation, Health Outcomes, Interpersonal Relationships, Marketing Budget Management, Marketing Data Analysis, Marketing Strategy Implementation, Market Research, Oral Communications, Pricing Strategies, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Project Management, Service Excellence, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning {+ 2 more}

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

06/10/2026

*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.