Country Manager UAE Pharmaceuticals

Why This Role Matters
The Country Manager – UAE drives business growth, market expansion, and operational excellence for Protectol Health And Safety Trading. This role ensures the company’s OTC and prescription drug portfolios achieve maximum market penetration while maintaining compliance with UAE regulations. By leading cross-functional teams, managing tenders, engaging KOLs, and overseeing market access strategies, the Country Manager ensures sustainable revenue growth, regulatory alignment, and strong stakeholder relationships across the UAE pharmaceutical landscape.

Job Description
The Country Manager – UAE is responsible for developing and executing the country strategy, driving sales growth, managing key accounts, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and corporate standards. The role involves leadership of cross-functional teams, management of tenders, KOL engagement, insurance negotiations, government liaison, and full P&L accountability. The position requires strong strategic, operational, and financial skills, along with a proven track record in pharmaceutical market management.

Key Features Of The Role
• Develop and execute UAE country strategy aligned with regional and global objectives
• Drive revenue growth across OTC and prescription portfolios
• Manage government, semi-government, and institutional tenders for sustainable growth
• Identify new business opportunities within hospitals, institutions, and insurance-driven segments
• Monitor competitor activities, pricing strategies, and tender dynamics
• Engage with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), healthcare professionals, and institutional decision-makers
• Oversee insurance listings, reimbursement processes, and formulary approvals
• Act as primary liaison with UAE health authorities, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders
• Lead cross-functional teams, mentor staff, and develop high-performance culture
• Ensure compliance with UAE pharmaceutical regulations, pharmacovigilance, and ethical promotion
• Manage distributors, wholesalers, pharmacy chains, hospitals, and institutional accounts
• Own full country P&L, prepare operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and performance reports

Responsibilities
• Develop and implement UAE business strategy in line with regional and global goals
• Lead tenders and negotiations with government and institutional bodies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with KOLs, healthcare providers, and decision-makers
• Ensure insurance and formulary inclusion for key products
• Coordinate with regulatory and medical affairs teams for registrations and approvals
• Represent the company at industry forums, regulatory meetings, and stakeholder discussions
• Lead, mentor, and manage cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, Regulatory, Market Access, and Supply Chain
• Oversee recruitment, capability development, and succession planning for UAE teams
• Manage distributors and strategic healthcare partners to optimize market coverage
• Ensure adherence to UAE regulations, corporate governance, and compliance standards
• Prepare annual operating plans, budgets, and sales forecasts; monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions
• Provide structured reporting and market intelligence to senior management

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or Business Administration
• MBA preferred

Experience And Skills
• 10–15 years of pharmaceutical industry experience
• Minimum 2–3 years in a Country Manager or Regional Manager role
• Strong experience in OTC and prescription portfolios
• Proven experience in managing tenders, KOL engagement, and insurance market access in the UAE
• Established network with key healthcare stakeholders and authorities
• Strong team leadership and cross-functional coordination skills
• Solid understanding of UAE pharmaceutical regulations and compliance standards
• Strong financial acumen with P&L management experience
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills
• Analytical, strategic planning, and governance capabilities

Salary Insights
• Compensation as per industry standards and company norms
• Full-time, senior leadership role with high growth potential
• Exposure to UAE pharmaceutical market, tenders, and strategic partnerships

Company Overview
Protectol Health And Safety Trading – Sole Proprietorship L.L.C is a UAE-based healthcare organization specializing in OTC and prescription drug distribution. The company focuses on market expansion, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement while delivering high-quality healthcare products and services across the UAE.

FAQs
Q: What portfolios will this role manage?
A: OTC and prescription drug portfolios across hospitals, institutions, and insurance-driven markets.

Q: What regulatory experience is required?
A: Understanding of UAE pharmaceutical regulations, insurance market access, tenders, and corporate compliance standards.

Q: What teams will I lead?
A: Sales, Marketing, Regulatory, Market Access, Supply Chain, and support teams in the UAE.

Application Tips
• Highlight leadership experience in pharmaceutical market management in the UAE
• Showcase tender management, KOL engagement, and insurance market access achievements
• Emphasize cross-functional coordination and P&L management experience
• Demonstrate strong strategic, analytical, and regulatory knowledge