Pharmaceutical Portfolio Brand Manager

Job ID: 25523

Location: Octapharma Ltd, Manchester

Job Level: Professional

Category: Pharmaceutical Marketing

Employment Type: Permanent position

We are looking for a Portfolio Brand Manager to join Octapharma Limited to manage and develop our UK and Ireland product portfolio. The position will report to the Marketing Manager and is based in our central Manchester office. The role provides a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

Our Company

Octapharma Limited is a subsidiary of Octapharma AG, a global, R&D focused bio-pharmaceutical business specialising in plasma protein fractionation and recombinant product technology.  Octapharma AG is well established as one of the world’s leading plasma fractionators. This year the company celebrates 40 years of remarkable innovation and growth which has helped transform the lives of countless patients. When started in 1983 the company’s vision was to provide haemophilia patients with a safe and efficacious factor VIII (FVIII), today the company has grown into a global company with more than 11,000 employees helping tens of thousands of patients every year live fuller, healthier lives.

Octapharma Limited mirrors the global focus and operates in the acute disease areas of bleed management and transfusion medicine as well as the chronic disease areas of congenital bleeding disorders, immunodeficiencies and immunomodulation.

In the UK and Ireland many of the products are supplied via national NHS frameworks and there is a strong commercial focus in the Octapharma Limited business.

 The Role

Based in the Octapharma Ltd office in central Manchester, the marketing function is at the heart of the business. The Portfolio Brand Manager will develop marketing and educational resources and activities to enhance the value proposition of the brands within Octapharma portfolio.

The areas of Haematology and Immunotherapy for Octapharma have a strong chronic disease focus and therefore the product, customer and patient are inextricably connected. All products sold and supplied are done so within the scope of a national framework and so strong commercial understanding and project management is key to the development of product plans and activities.

The role combines some traditional marketing with direct business and customer development, as well as the opportunity for customer focused initiatives to be developed and implemented.

The Octapharma portfolio requires the ability to understand and translate commercial, clinical, scientific, and technical information into clear marketing and customer focused activities and materials. It is an expectation of the role that materials and activities should be driven by direct customer insights, so this role is office based with a necessity for direct customer and stakeholder engagement.

There is an expectation of high-level therapy area and product expertise gained from the customer work, attendance at national and international congresses and a continuous learning commitment. The portfolio is supported at global level by three international business units and the role is an integral part of that broader team.

This role is primarily office based, with need for UK and International travel as required. Octapharma does offer some flexibility in working hours. The office is open 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Brand Strategy: Develop and execute brand strategies and plans for agreed trade sales brands.
• Budget and OPEX Coordination: To collaborate with the Marketing Manager to understand the commercial framework and support the setting and achievement of annual budgets and OPEX targets.
• Foster Collaboration with Customers: Establish strong partnerships with key customers to gather insights on the clinical and competitive environment and use these insights to tailor marketing strategies and materials, ensuring they are relevant and impactful.
• Development of Certified Marketing Materials: Develop insights-based, certified materials, both branded and non-branded, for agreed trade sales brands. This includes creating materials that align with brand priorities and developing certified resources for agreed brands and projects. Additionally, establish defined operational costings for all materials production and agency work to ensure efficient and effective resource management.
• International Business Unit (IBU): Actively participate in the IBU team by attending meetings and congresses and seek opportunities for partnership and collaborative work with both the IBU team and UK customers.
• Sales Team Collaboration: Work closely with the sales team to ensure they have the knowledge and tools needed to effectively communicate the value of our brands. This includes providing briefing sessions, educational materials, and ongoing support, as well as fostering a collaborative environment where feedback from the sales team, market, and customer data are integral to business planning and decision-making.
• Project Management: Lead ad-hoc business projects within the marketing function by managing project teams, identifying goals and scope, planning tasks, and ensuring timely delivery. Communicate with stakeholders, manage resources, eliminate blockers, and maintain the project plan and schedule.

Ideal Candidate

The role will suit anyone who has experience in pharmaceutical Brand Management and wants to develop their career within this area. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree or above in a Life Science or related field; or equivalent.
• ABPI qualified

Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of working in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Pharmaceutical brand management is essential.
• Haematology/Immunology/Critical Care knowledge preferred but not essential. 
• Ability to absorb and articulate clinical, technical, and scientific information.
• Capable of agency and budget management.
• Ability to forward plan and anticipate issues, be flexible in approach and creatively solve problems.
• An entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a drive to embrace innovation and develop creative but considered solutions to business challenges.
• Excellent planning, organisation and time-management skills including the ability to support and prioritize multiple projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Confident working on and supporting with multiple projects.
• Close collaborative partnership working with marketing colleagues across the entire international brand team.
• Ability to work independently as required in a small-team environment with internal and external colleagues.
• Proven critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead without authority.
• Computer literate.
• Highly self-motivated and eagerness to learn.
• Ability to travel in UK and internationally as required.

How we recruit

Octapharma is committed to a policy of treating individuals fairly and recruiting, selecting, training, promoting, and compensating based on merit, experience, and other work-related criteria. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, race, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

How to apply

Please send a copy of your CV, with a cover lettering explaining why you are interested in the role to