About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, committed to helping people live not just longer, but better. With a presence in more than 150 countries, our diverse portfolio spans diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. At Abbott, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while building a rewarding career in a high‑performance, values‑driven organization.
The Opportunity
Abbott is seeking an experienced Country Manager to lead the CRLB Division in South Africa. This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for commercial strategy execution, business growth, and overall country performance.
The Country Manager will provide strategic direction, operational leadership, and people management across sales, marketing, customer service, and finance, while ensuring all activities are conducted ethically and in full regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Commercial Leadership
- Partner with the Regional Managing Director (Middle East, Africa & Pakistan – CRLB) to develop and execute strategies that drive profitable, sustainable growth through a customer‑centric operating model
- Define and execute long‑term strategic plans while balancing short‑term business priorities
- Prepare and deliver annual business plans with clear actions to achieve sales, profit, and market‑share targets
Sales, Marketing & Market Development
- Lead sales execution through accurate forecasting, planning, performance monitoring, and reporting
- Drive new business opportunities, innovative sales approaches, and effective market‑entry strategies
- Ensure strong implementation of marketing strategies and evaluate their effectiveness and impact
- Monitor market dynamics, competitive activity, and environmental trends, adjusting plans as required
Stakeholder & Customer Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, government bodies, regulators, and key opinion leaders
- Support market access initiatives and policy engagement to strengthen Abbott’s position and influence
Financial & Operational Excellence
- Manage budgets with strong financial discipline and ensure efficient, compliant business processes
- Drive business excellence and cross‑functional collaboration to maximize organizational effectiveness
People Leadership & Culture
- Lead, inspire, and develop high‑performing teams across functions
- Implement motivation, training, talent development, and succession planning initiatives
- Oversee performance management, recruitment, coaching, and employee engagement
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and ethical culture aligned with Abbott’s values
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure all commercial and marketing activities comply with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards
- Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and compliance across the organization
Education & Experience
- Degree‑educated, ideally in a scientific discipline and/or business
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial management or senior leadership roles ideally within the diagnostics (IVD) or Medical Device Industry
- Proven track record of delivering strong business results through close customer engagement