Associate Director – Iraq & Levant Full Time

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