Managing Director – Animal Health Belgium

About this role

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the country strategy in alignment with global Animal Health objectives.
• Own and execute the strategic account approach for top customers, buying groups, and corporate accounts, ensuring aligned value propositions, governance, and sustainable partnerships.
• Oversee all business operations, including sales, marketing, finance, regulatory affairs, and supply chain management.
• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing management team, promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with Belgian and European standards, as well as our company’s internal policies.
• Represent Animal Health Belgium externally, building strong relationships with key stakeholders, customers, industry associations, and regulatory bodies.
• Drive business growth through identifying market opportunities, expanding product portfolios, and maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Hold full P&L accountability for Animal Health Belgium, including revenue growth, gross margin, operating expense management, resource allocation, and forecast accuracy; set targets and ensure delivery of business objectives.
• Champion sustainability initiatives and corporate social responsibility within the organisation.
• Required Qualifications & Experience
• Minimum 15 years proven senior leadership experience in the animal health, pharmaceutical, or related life sciences industries.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of the Belgian animal health market.
• Excellent knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Fluency in English and French or Dutch; additional language skills are an advantage.
• Relevant academic qualifications (e.g., Veterinary Medicine, Life Sciences, Business Administration).
• Personal Attributes
• Strategic thinker with an innovative mindset.
• Resilient and adaptable to change.
• Ethical, transparent, and committed to our company's values.
• Strong leadership presence and the ability to inspire others.
• Location
• Based in Belgium, with occasional travel required for meetings and conferences.
• Required Skills:
• Adaptability, Adaptability, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Business Development, Business Performance Reporting, Customer Centricity, Customer Satisfaction, Financial Management, Manufacturing Processes, Marketing Strategies, Market Research, Negotiation, People Leadership, Pricing Strategies, Product Management, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Regulatory Affairs Compliance, Results-Oriented, Sales Operations, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Supply Change Management, Sustainability Initiatives {+ 1 more}
• 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