Brand & Customer Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Brand & Customer Manager

🔹 Company: MSD

🔹 Location: Romania, Bucharest

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Pharmaceuticals

🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Identifying brand growth opportunities and setting portfolio priorities
• Designing and implementing marketing programs consistent with global and local strategies
• Engaging with top customers to improve patient health outcomes
• Ensuring launch readiness and driving existing business optimization
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a strong focus on customer engagement and market understanding.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develops and implements the Brand Plan for Romania, following up on execution based on specific KPIs

✅ Develops sales and expenses forecasting and follows up on the implementation of the approved action plan

✅ Develops relevant promotional and non-promotional material and programs, customizing global and regional materials for the local market

✅ Integrates MCM activities, customer solutions projects, communication plans, and other customer-related activities to ensure the accomplishment of strategic objectives

✅ Conducts frequent field visits to liaise with sales leaders and other physicians, gaining deeper market understanding and customer insights

✅ Close liaison with Vaccines KAMs to assess the response to and suitability of current promotional material and programs, ensuring optimal usage

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of travel and requires strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Healthcare education, Bachelor or University degree from an accredited university, preferably Medical Doctor or Pharmacist

Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry, preferably in vaccines and launching new products

Required Skills:

• Ability to manage key external stakeholders and influence without authority
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, project planning, teamwork, analytical, and communication skills
• Knowledge of financial management, business acumen, and operational execution skills
• Proficient use of MS Office programs

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of the company, processes, and clients/customers
• Deep understanding of cultures and healthcare systems in the market
• Fluency in conversational and written English

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a strong understanding of the Romanian healthcare market will be at a significant advantage.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be between 25,000 RON and 40,000 RON per year, based on industry standards for a mid-level pharmaceutical marketing role in Romania. This estimate may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement plans
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work model

Working Hours: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement, requiring on-site presence in Bucharest, Romania.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The benefits package is subject to change and may vary depending on the candidate's location and employment status.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. MSD is a global leader in the development and production of important medicines and vaccines, with a strong focus on innovation and improving patient outcomes.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large organization, MSD offers a wide range of career opportunities and resources for professional growth.

Founded: MSD was founded in 1891 and has a rich history of scientific innovation and commitment to improving global health.

Company Description:

• MSD is dedicated to applying the full scope of its combined strengths to improve human and animal health worldwide
• The company is focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of innovative products in three primary business segments: Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Vaccines
• MSD's global headquarters are located in Rahway, New Jersey, USA, with significant operations and facilities worldwide

Company Specialties:

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Vaccine development and production
• Animal health products
• Clinical research and development

Company Website: www.msd.com

ASSUMPTION: MSD's large size and global presence offer candidates the opportunity to work on a wide range of products and initiatives, with potential for international exposure and career advancement.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level management role, with potential for growth and progression within the organization

Reporting Structure: The Brand & Customer Manager reports directly to the Franchise Lead Vaccines Romania and works closely with cross-functional teams, including Medical Affairs and Sales

Work Arrangement: Hybrid work model, with a combination of on-site and remote work

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for career progression within the Vaccines Franchise or other business segments
• Opportunities for international assignments and exposure to global markets
• Access to professional development and training programs

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates to gain experience in brand management, customer engagement, and cross-functional team collaboration within a large, global pharmaceutical company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with a combination of on-site and remote work

Office Location(s): Bucharest, Romania

Geographic Context:

• Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, with a population of approximately 1.8 million people
• The city is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, elegant architecture, and vibrant cultural scene
• Bucharest offers a mix of modern and historic attractions, with a growing startup ecosystem and strong economic prospects

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring on-site presence in Bucharest, Romania

ASSUMPTION: Bucharest offers a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with a mix of historic and modern attractions, and a growing economy.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
• Final round interviews, potentially including a case study or presentation

Key Assessment Areas:

• Cultural fit and alignment with MSD's values
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Customer engagement and stakeholder management abilities
• Communication and presentation skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the Romanian healthcare market and MSD's products
• Prepare examples of your brand management and customer engagement experiences

ATS Keywords: Brand management, customer engagement, pharmaceutical marketing, stakeholder management, strategic planning, market analysis, Romania, Bucharest, MSD

ASSUMPTION: MSD's application process is designed to assess candidates' fit for the role and the company's culture, with a focus on strategic thinking, customer engagement, and stakeholder management skills.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Veeva)
• Market research and analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Tableau)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with CRM software, market research tools, and project management platforms.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Inventive
• Customer-focused
• Respectful
• Inclusive
• High-performing

Work Style:

• Collaborative and cross-functional teamwork
• Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
• Agile and adaptable approach to change
• Strong customer focus and commitment to improving patient outcomes

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have experience working in a matrix organization and collaborating with cross-functional teams?
• Are you comfortable managing key external stakeholders and influencing without authority?
• Do you have a strong customer focus and a passion for improving patient outcomes?

ASSUMPTION: MSD values candidates who are innovative, customer-focused, respectful, inclusive, and high-performing, with a strong commitment to collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a complex portfolio of brands and products in a dynamic market
• Balancing strategic planning and hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external
• Adapting to a hybrid work model and managing remote team members

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for candidates to develop their skills and make a significant impact on the success of MSD's Vaccines Franchise in Romania.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other brand management roles, this position has a strong focus on customer engagement and market understanding, with a significant amount of travel required
• In the Romanian pharmaceutical market, MSD is a leading player with a strong portfolio of products and a commitment to innovation and improving patient outcomes
• Career progression in this role could lead to opportunities in global brand management or other business segments within MSD

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic thinking, customer engagement, and market understanding, with a strong focus on driving brand growth and optimizing existing business.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a customer segmentation strategy to improve patient health outcomes
• Conducting market research and analysis to identify brand growth opportunities and optimize existing business
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to launch a new vaccine product in the Romanian market

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and hands-on nature of the Brand & Customer Manager role, with a strong focus on customer engagement, market understanding, and cross-functional team collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader Vaccines Franchise strategy for Romania?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and career growth within MSD?
• How does MSD support work-life balance for employees in hybrid work arrangements?
• What is the company's approach to innovation and improving patient outcomes in the Romanian market?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, fit within the broader organizational strategy, and opportunities for professional development and growth within MSD.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, including examples of your brand management and customer engagement experiences
• Prepare for interviews by researching MSD's products, the Romanian healthcare market, and the company's values and culture
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.