Role Purpose:<\/p>\n
\tWe are seeking a dynamic, and results oriented First Line Sales Manager to lead a team of Customer Engagement Specialists.
\n\tThis role requires a strong, values-driven leader who can inspire high performance, develop capabilities, and drive commercial excellence.
\n\tThe successful candidate will embody Bayer\u2019s leadership principles (VACC \u2013 Visionary, Architect, Catalyst, Coach) while ensuring alignment with the company\u2019s values, ethics, and customer-focused mission.
\n\tInland region: Gauteng, (Pretoria, Johannesburg), Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North-West, Free state<\/p>\n
Key Responsibilities and Tasks:<\/p>\n
Leadership & Team Development:<\/p>\n
\tDemonstrate VACC leadership by adapting leadership behaviors to meet team needs while cultivating a high-performance and psychological safe environment that values trust, agility and results.
\n\tCoach the team to collaboratively define their mission, goals, and success metrics, ensuring these are closely aligned with their individual sales plans and the Customer Excellence KPIs. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and relevance, drawing from field insights.
\n\tFoster a culture of empowerment, collaboration and continuous learning, enabling each team members to grow through shared experiences and best practices.
\n\tChampion a growth and creative mindset encouraging team members to consciously own their business, innovate in their approach, and actively contribute to the goals of their Customer and Product teams.
\n\tActively participate in the recruitment and selection of Customer Engagement Specialists ensuring alignment with Bayer\u2019s values, competencies and long-term capability needs to uphold Bayer\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n
Coaching & Performance Management:<\/p>\n
\tMentor and coach individual team members through regular field visits, double calls, and formal In Call Quality (ICQ) assessments.
\n\tIdentify and address performance gaps using structured feedback and coaching processes.
\n\tUtilize Veeva CRM and digital tools to track performance, support coaching, and ensure continuous improvement.
\n\tImplement the online performance management system to set, track, and review individual goals.<\/p>\n
Sales & Strategic Execution:<\/p>\n
\tEnable profitable sales delivery through the regional team by equipping them with commercial excellence tools such as PFI-CE, emotive selling, and deep product knowledge, empowering them to deliver on the ambitions of the Customer and Product teams.
\n\tContribute strategic insights to territory planning, customer targeting, promotional strategies, and ensuring alignment with market dynamics and the overarching goals of Sales Excellence.
\n\tEmbed Sales Excellence by coaching team members to meet and exceed defined KPIs and behaviours, with a focus on continuous performance improvement and excellence in customer engagement.
\n\tSupport digital transformation by enabling the team to enhance and apply digital capabilities to strengthen engagement with healthcare professional (HCPs) driving a hybrid and future ready customer interaction model.
\n\tFacilitate cross-functional collaboration encouraging team members to take active accountable roles in Customer and Product teams to support seamless execution of strategic initiatives and shared outcomes.<\/p>\n
Compliance & Operational Oversight:<\/p>\n
\tEnsure all sales activities comply with the South African Marketing Code of Practice, IFPMA guidelines, and Bayer compliance standards.
\n\tManage sales administration, reporting processes, and continuously seek opportunities to optimize systems and operations.<\/p>\n
Key Working Relations:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Internal<\/p>\n
\tPharma CDH
\n\tPharma Chapter Heads
\n\tSales Chapter Peers \u2013 FLSMs, Customer
\n\tEngagement Specialists, Key customer Specialists and Business Support assistant for Sales
\n\tMarketing & Sales Operations
\n\tBrand Leads, Content creators
\n\tMarket Access colleagues
\n\tMedical Affairs colleagues
\n\tFinancial Controller<\/p>\n
External<\/p>\n
\tIdentified Thought Leaders
\n\tHealthcare Professionals (Targeted customers)
\n\tPractice Staff
\n\tOther Healthcare Stakeholders
\n\tPublic Sector stakeholders
\n\tWholesalers Stakeholders
\n\tCorporate and non-Corporate Pharmacy chains in region<\/p>\n
Experience, Skills and Qualifications<\/p>\n
\tUniversity degree E.G. BCom Business Management
\n\tA minimum of 3 years as sales manager in the pharmaceutical industry or 5 years as a customer engagement specialist in the company
\n\tStrong communication skills
\n\tProven track record of success and ability to cooperate with different stakeholders
\n\tStrong ability to coach customer engagement specialist to higher performance
\n\tDemonstrate accurate forecast for future sales volumes<\/p>\n
Job Requirements<\/p>\n
\tProven leadership experience in a sales or customer-facing environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical or healthcare sector.
\n\tProficient in Microsoft Office and digital CRM platforms (e.g., Veeva CRM). Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
\n\tStrong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data to support decision-making.<\/p>\n
Personal attributes (Behaviors):<\/p>\n
\tCustomer- and results-oriented with a passion for excellence.
\n\tTeam player with the ability to work independently and show initiative.
\n\tHigh emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills. Resilient and able to lead under pressure.
\n\tDemonstrates learning agility and an agile mindset.
\n\tStrong leadership presence and ability to influence others positively.<\/p>\n
Values & Culture:<\/p>\n
\tDemonstrates values and beliefs aligned with Bayer\u2019s DSO principles and VACC leadership principles.<\/p>\n
DSO Principles:<\/p>\n
\tFocus on a mission to deliver outcomes for all, Customer, Product and Company
\n\tCollaboration and teamwork Co-creation \u2013 create new value for customers Evolution \u2013
\n\tExecuting, exploring and learning in rapid 90day cycles
\n\tAuthenticity \u2013 enabled by being your authentic self-functioning in a creative mindset<\/p>\n
VACC Leadership:<\/p>\n
\tVisionary \u2013 guide teams in defining outcomes to deliver on our mission Health for All
\n\tArchitect \u2013 Create a value creating system to unleash the passion and energy of our people Catalysts thank remove roadblocks to facilitate connection and collaboration
\n\tCoach \u2013 Help teams learn and build the capabilities needed to create value for customers and stakeholders
\n\tEmbodies integrity, respect, collaboration, and innovation in all interactions.
\n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n
go to method of application \u00bb<\/p>\n
Apply via company website ( ) or<\/p>\n
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