Marketing Manager - Ruminants & Companion Animals SSA

Job Description

The role is for a dynamic Marketing Manager for Ruminants and Companion Animals (Rums & CA) in the Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) region, developing and managing marketing programs in SSA countries, supporting business objectives, fostering customer relationships, analysing markets, providing sales support, and advancing brand building. The role reports to the SSA Business Unit Manager.

The Marketing Manager - Rums & CA: SSA is responsible for the following:

• Developing and executing the marketing strategy and tactics for SSA in line with our company's Animal Health objectives.
• Lead the execution of SSA marketing programs from start to finish, driving collaboration with the stakeholders and leveraging the right internal processes.
• Coordinate marketing campaigns with sales activities through various channels and segments.
• Coordinate and align marketing activities with key account clients’ marketing plans.
• Planning and implementing promotional campaigns.
• Propose and manage marketing research projects to generate consumer insights to support the improved marketing strategy and communications in SSA countries.
• Creation and publication of all marketing material in line with marketing plans.
• Preparing online and print marketing campaigns.
• Measure and report on the performance of marketing campaigns, gain insight, and assess against goals.
• Working closely with design agencies and assisting with new product launches.
• Maintain effective internal communications to ensure that all relevant company functions are kept informed of marketing objectives in each country.
• Analysing potential strategic partner relationships for company marketing in different countries.
• Analyze consumer behavior and adjust advertising campaigns accordingly.
• Understands and applies country-specific economic insights, veterinary needs, and industry data to make business decisions that drive value for the company and customers.
• Prepare and monitor the marketing budget on a quarterly and annual basis.
• Some product management.

KOL Management

• Key Opinion Leader identification and development in collaboration with SSA BUM.
• Establish strong relationships with KOL’s to strengthen customer centricity and partnership development with our company.
• Regular country visits to support the sales team in objection handling.

Cross-functional work with Support Functions

• The ability to collaborate and communicate with all internal and cross-functional stakeholders is critical.
• Other stakeholders to work with: Marketing teams, Sales team, Technical team, Customer Services,  Regulatory Affairs, and others where relevant.

Position Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or equivalent qualification.

Experience and requirements

• Minimum of 3 years commercial work experience, with a clear and demonstrated track record of success, understanding business fundamentals, and the importance of value creation.
• Exposure to the veterinary field or activities would be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of digital and direct response marketing.
• Required to travel 50% of the time to SSA countries.
• Understanding the SSA market dynamics and regulations would be an added advantage

Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Communication skills
• Financial acumen
• Strong analytical and project management skills
• Cross-functional capability
• Presentation skills
• Experience in building complex marketing programs
• Strong problem-solving ability, including metrics-driven thinking
• Customer centricity

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Animal Health Sales, Creative Campaign Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Marketing Budget Management, Marketing Data Analysis, Marketing Strategy Implementation, Market Research, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

11/18/2026

*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.