Job Description

At New Country Healthcare (NCH), our journey started with a powerful vision of fostering a healthier community, guided by the vision of our Chairman, Dr. Ghazi Al Koudsi. Through unwavering dedication, we have not only fulfilled our commitment to the community but also emerged as a prominent leader in the healthcare sector. Over the last 32 years, New Country Healthcare has established itself as the leading healthcare distributor in the UAE, with an extensive portfolio featuring over 1500 top-quality products from over 50 international brands manufactured across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

At NCH, we have a holistic approach to health, and today, we import and distribute trusted international brands in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, health and functional foods, sports nutrition, cosmeceuticals, and personal products, solidifying our position in the local and GCC markets. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our core values, providing innovative and high-quality healthcare products while upholding our legacy of excellence.

Culture at NCH:

At New Country Healthcare (NCH), our people-centric culture thrives on collaboration, continuous growth, and innovation. We believe in the power of continuous education, empowering our teams to reach their full potential and contribute fresh ideas. With a strong focus on Learning and Development, we nurture a culture of learning through engaging seminars and ongoing training programs. United by a shared mission and values, our diverse team prioritises sustainability, customer well-being, promotes healthy lifestyles, and fosters community education. At NCH, you’ll find a supportive environment where collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do, working together to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our community.

Position Overview:

The Pharmaceutical Business Unit Head is responsible for leading the full commercial and strategic performance of NCH’s pharmaceutical portfolio across the UAE and GCC, holding full P&L accountability and driving sustainable, compliant growth. The role defines and executes the business strategy, strengthens market positioning, and ensures disciplined commercial execution across all channels.

This role combines strategic direction with operational excellence. It oversees field force effectiveness, institutional and tender business, portfolio lifecycle management, demand generation, and commercial planning, while working in close partnership with Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, Supply Chain, and Finance to safeguard compliance, continuity, and financial integrity. The Pharmaceutical Business Unit Head ensures that growth objectives are achieved through ethical promotion, scientific credibility, and long-term partnerships with healthcare professionals, hospitals, distributors, and key stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategy, Governance and P&L Ownership

• Define and execute the pharmaceutical business strategy aligned with corporate objectives and long-term portfolio ambition.
• Own the full P&L, including revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, and profitability optimisation.
• Lead annual strategic planning, budget setting, and quarterly business reviews to ensure performance transparency and corrective action.
• Conduct structured business reviews with principals and key partners, driving alignment on growth plans, targets, and market expansion initiatives.
• Translate corporate direction into clear commercial roadmaps with measurable outcomes.

Commercial Execution and Field Force Excellence

• Design and optimise field force structure, coverage model, and territory alignment to maximise market penetration and productivity.
• Set sales targets by product, territory, and channel, ensuring disciplined tracking and performance governance.
• Drive excellence in medical detailing and ethical promotion, strengthening scientific credibility and customer trust.
• Oversee performance management frameworks, incentive schemes, and coaching rhythms to embed accountability and execution rigour.

Institutional, Key Accounts and Tender Management

• Define and execute hospital, institutional, and tender strategies to secure sustainable access and competitive positioning.
• Lead negotiations and pricing strategies in coordination with Finance and Regulatory to protect margins while ensuring compliance.
• Strengthen strategic relationships with hospital groups, procurement bodies, distributors, and key healthcare stakeholders.
• Monitor contract performance and ensure service excellence and supply continuity.

Portfolio Strategy, Brand Acquisition and Lifecycle Management

• Drive portfolio lifecycle strategy across launch, growth, maturity, and optimisation stages to maximise asset value.
• Work closely with Business Development to evaluate, negotiate, and onboard new pharmaceutical brands and principals aligned with strategic therapeutic priorities.
• Lead commercial due diligence for new brand acquisition, assessing financial viability, market potential, and portfolio synergy.
• Partner with Regulatory, Medical, and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely product launches and uninterrupted availability.
• Manage pricing strategy within regulatory frameworks while protecting competitiveness and profitability.

Market Intelligence and Performance Analytics

• Analyse prescription trends, competitor movements, pricing shifts, and regulatory developments to inform strategic decisions.
• Leverage BI dashboards and performance metrics to proactively identify risks and growth opportunities.
• Deliver structured performance reporting and strategic insights to the CEO – Pharma & Personal Care.
• Embed data-driven decision-making across commercial planning and resource allocation.

Leadership and Cross-Functional Alignment

• Lead and develop Regional Sales Managers, Key Account Managers, and support teams to build sustainable leadership capability.
• Ensure strong collaboration with Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, Supply Chain, Finance, and Marketing to safeguard compliance and operational integrity.
• Foster a culture aligned with NCH’s Culture DNA, balancing ambition with integrity and long-term partnership.
• Act as a visible and trusted leader within the healthcare ecosystem, strengthening NCH’s reputation and credibility.

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, or Life Sciences is mandatory; MBA or relevant Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing full P and L responsibility.
• Proven track record of delivering sustainable revenue growth and margin improvement within the UAE and GCC markets.
• Strong experience managing field force structures, institutional business, and tender portfolios.
• Demonstrated success in principal management, strategic business reviews, and long-term partner development.
• Deep understanding of UAE MOH pricing frameworks, market access dynamics, and competitive landscape.
• Experience leading cross-functional planning cycles, including demand forecasting and S and OP alignment.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Strong expertise in pharmaceutical commercial strategy, portfolio lifecycle management, and therapeutic area prioritisation.
• Advanced P&L management capability, including budgeting, forecasting, gross margin optimisation, and financial performance governance.
• Proven capability in demand planning, sales forecasting accuracy, and inventory risk mitigation in coordination with Supply Chain.
• Strong knowledge of institutional and tender business models, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations.
• Ability to analyse prescription data, competitor intelligence, and performance dashboards to drive evidence-based decisions.
• Solid understanding of compliance frameworks, ethical promotion standards, and regulated market requirements.
• High proficiency in business analytics tools and reporting systems.

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Client-Centric & Empathy-Led: Active listener with strong customer orientation; builds trust-based relationships with healthcare professionals, partners, and consumers.
• Result-Driven & Integrity-Focused: Demonstrates accountability, ethical decision-making, and boldness in pursuing growth targets while upholding compliance.
• Collaborate with Agility & Teamwork: Resilient, adaptable, and skilled at cross-functional collaboration; thrives in fast-moving and dynamic environments.
• Trust & Partnership: Inspires confidence through transparency, reliability, and long-term stakeholder engagement.
• Simplicity & Practicality: Communicates with clarity, applies practical problem-solving, and focuses on scalable value-driven solutions.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to coach, mentor, and motivate teams to deliver exceptional results.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Why Join Us:

Join a dynamic and fast-growing company where innovation, excellence, and collaboration drive everything we do. You’ll work alongside a talented and supportive team in a diverse and inclusive environment that values each individual’s unique contributions. We offer:

• Exciting career growth opportunities in a company at the forefront of healthcare and technology
• A comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including Health insurance, Annual leave and ticket allowance, Yearly incentives (as per company policy) and Professional development support

Be part of a culture that’s committed to empowering talent, embracing innovation, and building success together.