Chief Executive Officer - New Branch
Conakry,
Guinea
Conakry,
Guinea
As Chief Executive Officer – West Africa, you will lead and scale Handlers Distribution’s pharmaceutical and medical distribution activities across key West African markets, with a strategic focus on Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire.
This role requires a senior executive with strong regional connections, deep knowledge of pharmaceutical distribution, and proven leadership in regulated healthcare environments. You will work closely with shareholders, manufacturers, regulators, and key institutional clients to build a sustainable and compliant regional platform.
This position combines strategic leadership, operational execution, and high-level relationship management.
Responsibilities
- Define and execute the regional growth strategy for West Africa
- Lead and oversee country operations, sales teams, and key managers
- Develop and secure exclusive distribution agreements with international manufacturers
- Manage relationships with Ministries of Health, regulatory authorities, and key institutions
- Supervise product registration, compliance, and regulatory processes
- Oversee P&L, pricing strategy, margins, and financial performance
- Build and lead high-performing local management teams
- Build and lead high-performing local management teams
Must Have
- 10+ years experience in pharmaceutical or medical distribution
- Strong professional network in West Africa (Guinea and/or Côte d’Ivoire preferred)
- Strong professional network in West Africa (Guinea and/or Côte d’Ivoire preferred)
- Solid understanding of regulatory, importation, and tender processes
- Fluent French (native or near-native) and professional English
- Strong negotiation, governance, and decision-making skills
- Ability to operate in complex, multi-country environments
Nice to have
- Experience with multinational pharma manufacturers
- Background in hospital, institutional, or government tenders
- Experience managing multi-country operations
- Experience managing multi-country operations
- MBA or advanced management education
What's great in the job?
- Executive leadership role with real regional impact
- High autonomy and direct access to shareholders
- Opportunity to build a reference pharmaceutical platform in West Africa
- Strong international exposure with global manufacturing partners
- Long-term strategic role, not a short-term operational position
What We Offer
- Executive-level compensation package
- Performance-based bonus and long-term incentives
- Strategic leadership role with regional authority
- Support from an international group with strong regulatory expertise
- Opportunity to shape healthcare distribution in high-growth markets