Associate Director – Iraq & Levant
Reports To
General Manager – Gulf, Iraq & Levant
Location
Baghdad, Iraq (with responsibility for Iraq and Levant markets)
Job Purpose
The Associate Director – Iraq & Levant is responsible for driving sustainable business growth, market expansion, and commercial excellence with a primary strategic focus on the Iraq market (representing approximately 80% of the portfolio value) alongside the strategic oversight of distributor-led Levant markets (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria). The role provides strategic leadership to country teams, distributors, and cross-functional stakeholders to achieve sales, profitability, market share, and organizational objectives while ensuring compliance with company policies and local regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Directly spearhead the Iraq commercial strategy, driving penetration in both the institutional/public sector (Kimadia tenders) and the private retail market.
- Develop and execute the business strategy for Iraq and Levant markets in alignment with regional objectives.
- Identify growth opportunities, market expansion initiatives, and portfolio optimization strategies.
- Lead annual business planning, forecasting, and budget management processes.
- Drive achievement of revenue, profitability, and market share targets.
- Optimize the Levant footprint by managing indirect distributor models in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria to maximize profitability with minimal operational footprint.
Commercial Management
- Own full P&L accountability for Iraq and Levant operations.
- Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions to achieve business objectives.
- Ensure effective execution of brand strategies and commercial initiatives.
- Partner with Marketing, Medical, Supply Chain, Finance, and Regulatory teams to maximize business performance.
Distributor & Business Partner Management
- Proactively manage financial risks, credit limits, and supply chain continuity with all Levant distributors.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with distributors, key customers, and healthcare stakeholders.
- Evaluate distributor performance through defined KPIs and governance mechanisms.
- Lead business reviews and ensure effective market execution.
- Negotiate commercial agreements and ensure alignment with company objectives.
Leadership & People Development
- Lead, coach, and develop country managers, sales leaders, and cross-functional teams.
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and results.
- Drive talent management, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Support organizational capability building and leadership development.
Market Access & Stakeholder Management
- Build high-level institutional relationships with the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MOH), Kimadia, and local key opinion leaders (KOLs).
- Develop strong relationships with key healthcare authorities, government bodies, and industry stakeholders.
- Support pricing, reimbursement, tender, and market access initiatives.
- Ensure strong customer engagement across public and private sectors.
Financial & Operational Excellence
- Manage business budgets and operating expenses effectively.
- Drive forecasting accuracy and inventory optimization.
- Ensure efficient resource allocation and operational effectiveness.
- Monitor key business metrics and implement improvement plans.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure adherence to all company policies, compliance standards, and local regulations.
- Promote ethical business practices and a culture of integrity.
- Mitigate business risks through effective governance and controls.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Life Sciences, Business Administration, or related field.
- MBA or postgraduate qualification preferred.
Experience
- 12–15+ years of progressive pharmaceutical industry experience.
- Minimum 5 years in a senior commercial leadership role.
- Proven track record of commercial success specifically within the Iraq pharmaceutical landscape, with experience managing Levant distributor networks.
- Proven experience leading distributor-based business models.
- Demonstrated success in sales leadership, business development, and market expansion.
- Deep understanding of Iraqi pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks, Kimadia tender processes, and local distribution networks.
Other Requirements
- Must be Iraqi national
- Frequent travel across Iraq and Levant markets
