National Sales Manager

Job Description

We are seeking a National Sales Manager to lead the country sales organization and accelerate growth across our Livestock portfolio, including Biopharma Ruminants, Swine, and Technology solutions. This is a field-focused leadership role responsible for executing business strategies through strong sales management, disciplined commercial execution, and customer-centric engagement.

The primary objective is to maximize product sales by promoting and servicing the portfolio and implementing marketing and sales activities through both direct and indirect channels.

Important note on experience Demonstrated sales management experience is critical for this role. While livestock or animal health experience is valuable, we highly consider candidates with strong, transferable sales leadership skills gained in other industries.

Key responsibilities:

• Sales strategy and execution: Develop and implement national sales strategies, annual plans, and promotional initiatives to achieve revenue, margin, and market share targets across the Ruminants, Swine, and Technology portfolios. Translate strategy into regional plans, channel tactics, and individual targets.
• Team leadership and SFE: Lead, coach, and mentor the sales team through regular field contact, double-visits, and structured development plans. Build a performance culture with clear KPIs and ensure CRM data quality and adherence to sales processes.
• Market analysis and competitive insights: Conduct ongoing market assessments to identify trends, opportunities, and risks. Monitor competitor activity and inform pricing, positioning, and resource allocation.
• Customer engagement and key account management: Own relationships with strategic accounts (e.g., veterinarians, producer groups, integrators, distributors, technology partners). Implement account plans, negotiate agreements, and manage customer loyalty programs to drive retention and growth.
• Business development and channel expansion: Identify and pursue new segments, partnerships, and routes-to-market. Collaborate cross-functionally (Marketing, Technical Services, Supply Chain, Finance) to create go-to-market plans and drive adoption.
• Product portfolio and launch excellence: Partner with Marketing on positioning, messaging, and launch plans. Provide field feedback on customer needs, portfolio gaps, and regional dynamics.
• Performance management and analytics: Track sales performance, funnel health, and activity metrics. Diagnose gaps and deploy corrective actions. Optimize territory coverage, call plans, and resource allocation to maximize ROI.
• Compliance and ethics: Ensure all activities adhere to applicable codes of conduct, local regulations, quality standards, and pharmacovigilance requirements.
• Budget and forecast management: Own the sales budget, monitor spend, evaluate ROI, recommend adjustments, and deliver accurate forecasts that feed demand planning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Business, or a related field
• Proven sales management experience leading teams to deliver commercial results; experience outside the veterinary/animal health sector is strongly valued if sales leadership competencies are demonstrated
• Strong people leadership: coaching, performance management, talent development, and change management
• Demonstrated success in key account management and business development, including negotiating complex agreements
• Proficiency with CRM systems, pipeline management, forecasting, and data-driven decision-making
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted internal and external relationships
• Results-oriented, resilient, and effective in fast-paced, competitive environments
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MSc) or relevant commercial/industry certifications
• Experience in the livestock/animal health market or closely related sectors (pharma, agribusiness, medical devices, diagnostics, ag-tech)
• Deep understanding of livestock customer segments, industry trends, and value drivers—or demonstrated ability to ramp quickly
• Proficiency in additional local languages (based on territory)
• Familiarity with Sales Force Excellence frameworks, territory design, and commercial analytics tools (e.g., BI dashboards, incentive design)

• Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus
• Tools and resources for success
• Ongoing learning and development, including leadership coaching and industry training
• Inclusive, high-performance culture focused on customer value and ethical business practices
• Opportunities for career progression within a growing Livestock business

Required Skills:

Customer Relationship Building, Hungarian Language, Industry Knowledge, Livestock Management, Managing Sales Teams, Sales Forecasting, Sales Management, Strategic Planning, Veterinary Pharmaceutical Sales

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

50%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

02/1/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.