Seasoned sales person with excellent customer engagement
Resume:
Innocent Ikpah Benedict
**********@*****.*** **************@*****.***
Sales & Marketing Leader Business Strategist Pharmaceutical Executive
Focused on leadership coaching and team capability development Experienced in training teams and leading performance-focused workshops
Professional Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented Sales & Marketing Executive with over 13 years of success driving growth across the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry in West Africa. Proven expertise in leading cross-functional teams, launching innovative products, and executing data-driven marketing strategies that deliver measurable business impact. Recognized for building high-performing teams, expanding market access, and maintaining P&L accountability across diverse therapeutic areas including Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, and Cardiometabolic health. Passionate about improving patient outcomes while achieving sustainable commercial success.
Key Competencies
- Pharmaceutical Sales Leadership
- Strategic Business Development
- Product Launches & Portfolio Management
- Cross-functional Team Management
- Stakeholder & Distributor Engagement
- Market Access & CRM Strategy
- Forecasting, Budgeting & P&L Oversight
- Commercial Excellence & Territory Expansion
- Influencing, Coaching & Negotiation Skills
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Brand Strategy & Customer Engagement
Professional Experience
Therapeutic Area Head, Ophthalmology – Anglophone West Africa
Novartis Pharma Apr 2022 – Present
- Led the development and execution of portfolio and brand strategies across multiple countries in West Africa.
- Achieved double-digit sales growth for key promoted products by optimizing team performance and resource allocation.
- Strengthened internal alignment through strategic cross-functional collaboration, even in volatile macro environments.
- Enhanced distributor performance and inventory control, ensuring continuous product availability.
- Represented Novartis at high-level regional forums, deepening strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
- Fostered a performance-driven, inclusive team culture and nurtured emerging leaders within the organization.
First Line Manager (Neuroscience & Ophthalmology)
Novartis Pharma Aug 2017 – Apr 2022
- Delivered over $9.3M in annual revenue from the Pain portfolio, consistently exceeding territory sales targets.
- Created new sales channels and optimized customer segmentation to boost product visibility and engagement.
- Trained, coached, and developed a high-performing team of 7 reps, improving efficiency and sales coverage.
- Managed operational budgets, monitored marketing spend, and achieved cost efficiencies across commercial initiatives.
First Line Manager (Neuroscience Franchise)
Novartis Pharma Sept 2014 – Aug 2017
- Turned around a low-performing team and delivered over 20% YoY revenue growth within 12 months.
- Drove full CRM adoption and achieved 100% of performance KPIs through digital tools and field analytics.
- Collaborated with medical, access, and regulatory teams to align brand strategy and resolve operational issues.
Medical Sales Representative (Cardiometabolic Franchise)
Novartis Pharma May 2011 – May 2014
- Successfully penetrated new markets and built long-lasting relationships with over 100 healthcare accounts.
- Provided expert clinical detailing to doctors and pharmacists, resulting in increased product uptake.
- Analyzed market data, scheduled high-impact customer visits via CRM, and exceeded sales targets consistently.
Education
MBA, Marketing Management & Research
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria — 2019
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
University of Jos, Nigeria — 2008
Certifications & Affiliations
- Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN)
Technical Skills
- CRM Tools (Veeva, Salesforce)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Power BI (Basic Level)
- Territory Management Tools
- Data-Driven Decision Making
Languages
- English (Fluent)
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