Customer Team Leader (District Sales Manager), Cardiovascular Disease – North Central District

Merck is a leading global healthcare company, and they are seeking a Customer Team Leader (District Sales Manager) for their North Central District focused on Cardiovascular Disease. The role involves managing a team of Customer Representatives to drive sales performance, providing coaching, and ensuring the team's alignment with organizational goals.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of Customer Representatives to deliver strong sales performance by accurately identifying and addressing customer needs
• Provide coaching and guidance to Customer Representatives to enhance their skills and effectiveness
• Oversee training programs and manage all people-related processes for the customer team, ensuring continuous development and optimal resource allocation
• Develop and maintain a high-performing customer team aligned with organizational goals and customer expectations
• Willingness to travel at least 15% of the time to support team and customer engagement activities, which may occasionally require overnight stays. Specific requirements can be discussed during the interview process

Requirements:

• BA/BS degree with minimum 5 years' experience in Sales, Marketing, or Managed Care within the Pharmaceutical industry
• Valid driver's license
• Proven ability to cultivate a high-performing, motivated sales team culture, preferably with experience in the Cardiovascular therapeutic area
• Provide strong leadership by guiding teams through change and challenges using situational coaching and emotional intelligence. Lead by example with a growth mindset and agility, while fostering trust and openness to support teams effectively during periods of transition
• Navigate ambiguity with confidence and a forward-looking vision, communicating clearly and transparently to adapt customer engagement models within the Cardiovascular market and beyond
• Maintain a customer-focused mindset by actively listening to understand customer objectives and foster meaningful relationships across the organization
• Apply expertise in account planning and management, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals
• Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with key accounts and customers in the Cardiovascular sector
• Solid understanding of Rx Pathways, including prescription processes through healthcare providers, Electronic Health Records (EHR), pharmacies, and knowledge of benefit design and prior authorization requirements
• Skilled in coaching sales professionals to navigate Managed Care environments and partner with Integrated Delivery Networks (IDN) and Account Management teams
• Track record of leading successful product launch teams in competitive markets
• Proficient in leveraging business analytics and technology to generate insights, develop strategies, and execute plans, while coaching sales teams to utilize these tools effectively
• Advanced degree such as MBA or MS in Science, Business, or Healthcare discipline
• At least 3 years' experience working with key thought leaders or influential customers in large group practices, hospitals, or managed care organizations
• Proven ability to manage, lead, coach, and inspire successful sales teams, preferably within the Cardiovascular market, with previous Field Sales Management experience
• Strong analytical mindset with experience coaching sales teams to effectively leverage tools and technology for gathering customer insights and enhancing sales impact
• Experience selling and leading teams in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, or Medical Device industries
• Skilled at establishing and maintaining relationships and networks within customer organizations