Commercial Operations Specialist

We are looking for an operational and experienced in Tenders, Sourcing & Business Development Specialist with a solid background in public and institutional tenders, procurement and pharmaceutical products. The position combines tender management, sourcing and procurement of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drug forms (FDFs), as well as business development of API products in Africa. The candidate will work closely with customers, manufacturers, suppliers and internal sales, regulatory, finance and logistics teams to identify new opportunities, prepare competitive bids, source products and develop new customers for APIs. Main responsibilities Tender management Identify and track public and institutional tender opportunities in Francophone Africa. Read and analyze the tender documents and identify the technical, commercial and administrative requirements. Prepare compliance checklists and coordinate all required documents. Prepare and verify the technical and financial bids. Coordinate with manufacturers and internal teams to ensure a complete, compliant and timely submission. Follow up on tender results, requests for clarification, awards and post-award requirements. Sourcing & Purchasing Identify reliable manufacturers and suppliers of APIs and finished-form drugs (FDF). Obtain and evaluate supplier offers, product specifications, regulatory documents and delivery times. Compare suppliers based on quality, price, availability, MOQs, lead times, and regulatory requirements. Negotiate commercial terms and contribute to the development of competitive prices for tenders. Coordinate with QA/RA teams and suppliers to obtain the necessary technical and regulatory documents. Develop and maintain a database of approved manufacturers, APIs, and finished products. API Business Development – Africa Identify potential customers for APIs, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, formulators and other qualified customers in Africa. Analyze API demand, market needs, key manufacturers, and potential customers by country. Develop and maintain a pipeline of API business opportunities. Contact potential clients, understand their API needs, and coordinate sales offers and samples. Develop lasting business relationships with API customers and suppliers. Participate in negotiations, product selection and the preparation of commercial proposals. Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and new opportunities in the API field. Desired profile 5 to 7 years of experience in tender management, purchasing, sourcing , pharmaceutical business development or in a similar position. Proven experience in public/institutional tenders in Francophone Africa. Experience in sourcing APIs and/or finished-form drugs is highly desirable. Good understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, APIs, formulations and basic regulatory requirements. Experience in identifying and developing B2B clients in African markets. Strong skills in negotiation, supplier management and business development. Fluency in French and English – required. Good command of Excel and good analytical skills. Excellent communication, follow-up, and organizational skills. Available to travel in Africa and internationally as needed.

Desired Candidate Profile

An operational, autonomous and business-oriented pharmaceutical professional, capable of analyzing a tender, preparing a complete submission, sourcing competitive APIs or finished products, identifying new API clients in Africa and converting opportunities into revenue. Employment Type Full-time