Marketing Manager, Technical Innovation

About the role

Elanco, a global animal health company, is looking for a Marketing Manager, Technical Innovation to provide strategic marketing and technical leadership across designated animal health portfolios and customer segments, including pet owners, farmers, veterinarians and channel partners. The role combines veterinary expertise, scientific insight and commercial creativity to build brand equity, strengthen product positioning and turn complex technical information into clear customer value propositions. It is based in Johannesburg or Centurion, Gauteng.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and run product and disease-state marketing communication strategies aligned with local and global Brand Plans, covering positioning, claims, channels, promotions and commercial toolkits.
• Act as medical and technical lead for portfolio support, producing scientific data summaries, medical presentations and technical marketing content.
• Lead the identification, prioritisation and coordination of post-approval clinical studies, scientific advisory boards, Key Opinion Leader engagement and veterinary speaker programmes.
• Build relationships with Key Opinion Leaders, veterinary associations, regulators, academic institutions and faculties, and represent Elanco at conferences, trade shows and customer events.
• Work with Sales, Technical Services, Regulatory Affairs, R&D, Finance and Manufacturing to manage marketing budgets, contribute to demand forecasting, monitor market intelligence and ensure compliance with approvals, promotional standards and corporate policies.

Required profile

• Veterinary degree (BVSc, BVMCh, DVM or equivalent) with current or eligible registration with the South African Veterinary Council.
• At least three years of practical clinical experience as a practising veterinarian, with exposure to the animal health or pharmaceutical corporate environment.
• Ability to turn scientific, clinical and technical information into clear, commercially relevant communications.
• Alignment with Elanco's values of Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity and Quality.

Preferred qualifications

• MBA or postgraduate qualification in Marketing or Commercial Management.
• Experience managing operating expenditure, tracking campaign ROI and contributing to commercial forecasting.
• Project leadership experience in complex, matrixed corporate environments.
• Fluent English, working Afrikaans and familiarity with the South African agricultural or veterinary landscape.

Local travel across South Africa with occasional international travel; full-time, with flexibility to attend evening and weekend congresses and meetings. Elanco encourages candidates who do not meet every requirement to apply.