Head of Sales, Ruminants

Your Role: Head of Sales, Ruminants

As Head of Sales, Ruminants - South Africa, you will lead Elanco’s commercial activities across the intensive and extensive ruminant sectors, including feedlots, dairy, beef, sheep and pasture-based production. You will own the business unit’s commercial strategy, profit performance and execution, combining veterinary expertise with strong market and business insight to deliver sustainable, above-market growth. The role also provides strategic leadership across the wider affiliate and creates value for livestock producers, customers and Elanco.

Your Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year and annual commercial plans for the ruminant business, with accountability for profit and loss, operating expenses, revenue growth and market share performance.
• Lead the commercial and technical positioning of Elanco’s ruminant portfolio, including parasiticides, vaccines, antimicrobials, feed additives, metabolic therapeutics and technical diagnostic services.
• Build strategic relationships with corporate feedlots, dairy integrators, veterinary wholesalers, agricultural cooperatives, distributors, buying groups, livestock producers, veterinarians and academic experts.
• Use market intelligence, customer insights and industry analysis to identify growth opportunities, guide brand and lifecycle strategies, and respond to disease trends, commodity cycles, competitor activity and broader market conditions.
• Recruit, coach and retain a high-performing sales and technical field team through structured performance management, customer relationship management, sales effectiveness, field coaching and continuous capability development.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Veterinary degree such as BVSc, BVMCh, DVM or equivalent, with current or eligible registration with the South African Veterinary Council.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in the animal health or veterinary pharmaceutical industry.
• A t least 2–3 years of d emonstrated success in senior commercial management, sales leadership or business unit leadership, including sustained revenue and market share growth.
• In-depth knowledge of ruminant therapeutics, livestock production systems, feedlot operations, pasture-based dairy production and parasite control programmes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in an international matrix organisation.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in business, commercial management or marketing.
• Strong understanding of disease epidemiology and the clinical, economic and production implications of livestock health challenges in Southern Africa.
• Experience leading customer seminars, field trials, farmer training programmes or other science-based commercial initiatives.
• Demonstrated capability in strategic decision-making, commercial negotiation and organisational change management in volatile market conditions.
• Fluent English and Afrikaans proficiency and experience engaging with South African agricultural stakeholders.

Additional Information

• Travel: Approximately 40–50% nationally, with international travel as required. The role may also require attendance at evening and weekend agricultural events, congresses and farmer gatherings.
• Location: Johannesburg or Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

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