At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead international commercial strategies to enhance sales performance and drive innovation.
- Company: Join Johnson & Johnson, a leader in healthcare innovation with a commitment to diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, inclusive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Hybrid role with potential locations in the UK, Switzerland, Singapore, and more.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial excellence or sales operations; strong data analytics skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.
As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.
DePuy Synthes is recruiting for a(n) International Commercial Excellence Director; this Hybrid position will be in Zug, Switzerland. Alternate Hybrid locations may be considered in Leeds, UK; Singapore; Prague, Czechia; OR Umkirch, Germany.
Position Summary: The International Commercial Excellence Director is a senior strategic leader responsible for shaping, accelerating, and continuously enhancing commercial performance across all international markets for DePuy Synthes. This role drives the end‑to‑end Commercial Excellence agenda—spanning data analytics & business intelligence, sales force effectiveness, incentive scheme governance, and full CRM system ownership—while partnering closely with regional leadership to enable a high‑performing, customer‑centric commercial organization.
This role significantly influences strategic decision‑making, ensuring that data‑driven insights, advanced analytics, and innovative digital tools translate into stronger sales performance, optimized resource allocation, and sustainable business growth. Delivering business growth opportunities by improving sales processes and operations, implementing sales incentive programs, generating performance metrics, and disseminating information that promotes a favorable view of the organization and its products and services.
Major Duties & Responsibilities:
- Define and lead the International Commercial Excellence strategy and multi‑year roadmap that elevates sales effectiveness, data maturity, and digital enablement across markets.
- Partner with commercial leaders to align CE agenda to growth priorities, customer needs, and evolving sales models.
- Drive standardization of core CE processes and adoption of enterprise tools, methods, & governance across regions.
- Own the design and delivery of advanced analytics, AI digital solutions, performance dashboards, and BI solutions that inform executive decisions and frontline actions.
- Establish robust data governance, quality, and integration practices to enable forecasting, targeting, segmentation, territory design, and commercial planning.
- Scan for, evaluate, and deploy innovations (including AI/ML) that unlock new commercial insights and productivity.
- Lead SFE programs including resource allocation, activity optimization, coverage and targeting strategies, competency development, and enablement content.
- Harmonize KPIs and performance benchmarks; generate actionable insights including external industry business intelligence to accelerate sales productivity and effectiveness.
- Serve as product owner for the CRM platform (e.g., Salesforce): roadmap, enhancements, governance, data model, user enablement, and change management.
- Translate business requirements into scalable CRM capabilities that streamline workflows, improve data capture, and standardize processes across regions.
- Lead the end‑to‑end lifecycle of sales incentive plans—from design and modeling through communication, calculation, audit, and insights generation.
- Ensure transparent governance, compliance, and alignment of incentives with business strategy and desired sales behaviors in partnership with HR and industry competitive benchmarks.
- Lead, coach, and develop a distributed team of commercial excellence managers and professionals.
- Build a high‑performing CE community that shares best practices, drives innovation, and executes consistently.
- Own workforce planning, succession planning, and vendor/partner management to meet evolving business needs.
- Establish and maintain governance frameworks for data, systems, incentives, and change, aligned with corporate policies and applicable regulations.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 10+ years in Commercial Excellence, Sales Operations, Strategy, or related disciplines within a matrixed organization.
- Proven expertise in data analytics and business intelligence (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and CRM (i.e., Salesforce).
- Hands‑on experience designing and governing sales incentive plans and leading Sales Force Effectiveness programs.
- History leading distributed teams (direct and dotted‑line) and managing vendors/partners; strong coaching and talent development skills.
- Excellent executive communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership; ability to translate complex analytics into clear actions.
- Strong program management, prioritization, and problem‑solving capabilities; high attention to data accuracy and governance.
- Fluent in English; proficiency with MS Office/365; willingness to travel ~15%.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Advanced degree (e.g., Master’s/MBA) or equivalent experience.
- Experience in an international/Global organization; MedTech or Life Sciences exposure a plus.
- Demonstrated success deploying AI/ML‑enabled analytics or next‑gen digital selling tools.
- Certification or formal training in analytics, incentive design, project/change management, or Lean/Agile methods.
Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law.
International Commercial Excellence Director employer: Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Our commitment to employee development is complemented by a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly in our Leeds location, where you can be part of a global team driving impactful healthcare solutions. With competitive benefits and a focus on work-life balance, we empower our employees to thrive while making a meaningful difference in the world of health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land International Commercial Excellence Director
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like International Commercial Excellence Director at Johnson & Johnson, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Johnson & Johnson. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a International Commercial Excellence Director. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace International Commercial Excellence Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Johnson & Johnson:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Johnson & Johnson. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Johnson & Johnson
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Johnson & Johnson that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Johnson & Johnson that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Johnson & Johnson’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.