National Key Accounts Manager

Job Description

The National Key Accounts Manager role is a part of the Vaccines Franchise. The incumbent will be responsible for key customer relationships, sales, and market development of our Vaccines portfolio. This position reports to the HIV and Vaccines Franchise Lead. The role will be based in Midrand, Johannesburg with extensive travel (30%) to other provinces within South Africa.

Primary Responsibilities:

The National Key Accounts Manager is responsible for the following activities related to the Vaccines portfolio:

• Relationship Management:

Build and maintain strong relationships with key accounts, including hospitals, clinics, and corporate pharmacies.

Serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts, addressing inquiries and ensuring their needs are met.

• Strategic Account Planning:

Develop and implement account-specific strategies to maximize sales and market share.

Conduct regular assessments of account performance and industry trends to identify growth opportunities.

• Sales & Revenue Growth:

Drive sales efforts for the vaccine's portfolio through effective negotiation and presentation skills.

Collaborate with marketing and product management teams to align initiatives with customer needs and market dynamics.

• Market Intelligence:

Monitor and analyze competitors, market conditions, and customer feedback to inform business strategy.

Provide insights on market trends and opportunities to senior management.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with marketing, medical, and supply chain teams to ensure a cohesive approach to the market.

Assist in the development of promotional materials and programs tailored to key accounts.

• Training & Support:

Provide training and support to clients on vaccine products, their benefits, and relevant clinical data.

Act as a resource for healthcare providers, addressing questions and concerns regarding vaccines.

• Reporting & Analysis:

Prepare regular reports on account activities, sales performance, and market developments.

Use CRM tools to manage customer relationships and sales processes effectively

Preparing and implementing customer account plans to increase market share and market penetration to achieve agreed sales targets, within budget and in accordance with the overall Vaccines Unit strategy.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years experience in pharmaceutical key accounts with a clear and demonstrated track-record of success.

• Exposure to the management of the vaccine's portfolio will be advantageous

• Good understanding of business fundamentals and essentials of value creation.

Skills/Capabilities:

• Self-motivated driver, able to work autonomously, be self-motivated & independent.

• Ability to work under stringent timelines and due dates in the most effective and efficient manner.

• Must have a demonstrated ability to promote and market products.

• Demonstrated effective organizational and communication skills are required.

• Excellent presentation skills & ability to facilitate training sessions.

• Strong ability to build relationships with internal & external stakeholders such as policy makers, payers, and scientific leaders.

• Compliance mindset and ethical standard

• Ability to work collaboratively, influence and lead

• Strategic business planning and management

• Project management experience

• In-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry

Required Skills:

Account Management, Account Planning, Adaptability, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Leadership, Market Analysis, Market Intelligence, Sales Management, Sales Optimization, Sales Strategy Development, 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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

11/28/2025

*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.

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