JOB DESCRIPTION:
At Abbott, we’re committed to helping people live their best lives through science-based nutrition.
The Head of Commercial Excellence – EMEA is responsible for leading the strategic direction and execution of commercial excellence initiatives across the region for Abbott Nutrition.
Managing a small team, you will ensure alignment with business priorities and drive performance across field force, marketing, and cross-functional teams. You will also collaborate with region heads (e.g., Marketing, Digital, Insights, Innovation) and local market leaders to embed best practices, scale capabilities, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities include:
Digital Strategy & Execution
- Define and lead the EMEA Commercial Excellence strategy aligned with regional and global business goals.
- Oversee the Capability Manager and SFE Manager to ensure cohesive execution of capability-building and field force effectiveness programmes.
- Drive the adoption of data-driven decision-making, omnichannel engagement, and agile ways of working across commercial teams.
- Lead the development and deployment of commercial tools, frameworks, and performance metrics.
- Partner with region Heads to integrate functional expertise into commercial excellence initiatives.
- Ensure alignment and collaboration with global Commercial Excellence and HR teams.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with region heads to ensure commercial excellence initiatives reflect evolving functional needs.
- Engage with local market leaders to co-create and implement initiatives tailored to market realities.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange across markets and functions.
- Act as a strategic partner to senior leadership in driving commercial transformation.
Future Evolution of the Role
- Lead the integration of AI, automation, and predictive analytics into commercial processes.
- Support the shift from operational oversight to strategic enablement, focusing on real-time insights, digital coaching, and personalised performance support.
- Champion innovation, foster a learning culture, and drive the digital transformation of commercial operations across EMEA.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Improvement in field force productivity and engagement metrics across EMEA.
- Adoption and impact of capability-building programmes.
- CRM and digital tool utilisation rates.
- Time-to-market and ROI of commercial initiatives.
- Market satisfaction with commercial excellence support.
- Cross-functional alignment and collaboration effectiveness.
What you'll need:
- Significant experience within commercial roles within healthcare, nutrition, pharma, or FMCG sectors, with a strong focus on sales, marketing, or commercial excellence.
- Prior leadership roles managing cross-functional teams and regional initiatives.
- Experience working across EMEA markets, with an understanding of local market dynamics and regulatory environments (preferred).
- Track record of successfully implementing capability-building programs and sales force effectiveness strategies.
- Exposure to global commercial excellence frameworks and collaboration with global HR or L&D teams.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Life Sciences, or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
- Certifications in change management, agile methodologies, or digital transformation are a plus.
- Multilingual capabilities (especially in key EMEA languages) are advantageous.
Strategic & Leadership Skills:
- Proven ability to define and execute regional commercial strategies aligned with global goals.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, especially in matrixed and multicultural environments.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment.
- Deep Commercial Excellence expertise: capability building, sales force effectiveness, performance metrics, and omnichannel engagement.
- Experience implementing commercial tools, frameworks, and KPIs across diverse markets.
- Familiarity with CRM systems, digital engagement platforms, and analytics tools.
- Strong analytical mindset with experience in data-driven decision-making and performance tracking.
- Knowledge of AI, automation, and predictive analytics in commercial contexts.
- Ability to translate insights into actionable strategies and tools.
- Experience leading commercial transformation initiatives, including digital and agile adoption.
- Skilled in change management, stakeholder engagement, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with region heads, market leaders, and global teams.
- Ability to facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange across functions and geographies.
This role offers the opportunity to shape the digital future of our business across diverse markets, driving meaningful impact for our customers and commercial success. As you’d expect from a global healthcare company, we offer a fantastic range of benefits to support you and your family, including competitive salaries and bonus potential, a superb defined contribution pension scheme, private healthcare, life assurance and a flexible benefits scheme.
The base pay for this position is
N/A
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
JOB FAMILY:
Sales Support & Administration
DIVISION:
ANI International Nutrition
LOCATION:
United Kingdom > Maidenhead : Abbott House
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
WORK SHIFT:
Standard
TRAVEL:
Yes, 25 % of the Time
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Driving a personal auto or company car or truck, or a powered piece of material handling equipment