Job Description
The Companion Animal Regional Sales Manager position will lead the Southern California Regional Companion Animal sales team to accomplish regional sales goals and organizational objectives to position the broad product portfolio. This position provides direct leadership and development to the regional sales team of up to approximately 10 Territory and Senior Territory Representatives. This role will cover the Southern California Region and include greater Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Orange County, Palm Springs. It is preferred that our Regional Sales Managers reside in the region in which they lead but its required that they live no more than 50 miles outside of the region border.
Essential Accountabilities:
• Prepares and implements a comprehensive region business plan, ensuring consistent product program implementation and sales goal attainment.
• Directly impacts business unit performance through strong leadership and management skills.
• Develops and manages talent for the attraction, retention, and motivation of regional sales team.
• Manages, coaches, and provides direction to the sales team; works to build cohesive teams. Provides ongoing coaching and feedback; conducts formal and informal performance reviews. Recognizes employee success and communicates to the team providing constructive feedback.
Proficient at resolving conflict.
• Impactful communication to ensure consistent messages and leadership within the region.
• Problem solving extends beyond the regional level. Originates ideas and suggests new areas for development.
• Works cross functionally with region Professional Services Veterinarians.
• Collaborates and fosters relationships with key distributor management personnel to promote the portfolio of products.
Our Enterprise Leadership Skills are designed to
• Shape our Future
• Unlock Potential
• Deliver Impact
Enterprise Leadership Skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Business Savviness
• Strategic Planning
• Decision Making
• Talent Growth
• Emotional Intelligence
• Networking & Partnerships
• Coaching & Development
• Equity & Inclusion
• Influence
• Execution Excellence
• Change Catalyst
• Ownership & Accountability
• Innovation
• Motivation & Inspiration
Ways of Working
• Win As One Team
• Focus On What Matters
• Act With Urgency
• Experiment, Learn & Adapt
• Embrace Inclusion
• Speak Up & Be Openminded
Background & Education
• Bachelor's Degree preferred with at least 8 years of relevant work experience (OR High School Diploma required with 12 years) which could include: professional sales, distribution, experience in marketing, military service, or veterinary/ healthcare/ scientific field (pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical devices). At least two (2) years leadership experience with demonstrated accomplishments is preferred.
Required Skills/Abilities:
• Technical, product & market knowledge.
• Market share mindset focusing on potential verses outcomes.
• Territory & business management
• Leadership and building strong teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent presentation skills and critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be available for extensive overnight travel (50%)
• Must live within the Sales Region
Preferred Skills/Abilities
• Sales experience and/or experience within the Animal Health Industry.
• Knowledge of animal health biological and pharmaceutical products.
• Understanding or experience working with distribution.
• Multi-lingual fluency preferred, particularly in Spanish.
#MSJR
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Agriculture Industry, Animal Health Care, Business Acumen, Business Networking, Collaborative Leadership, Customer Relationship Building, Decision Making, Emotional Intelligence, Enterprise Leadership, Financial Acumen, Industry Knowledge, Lateral Thinking, Leadership Theories, Lead Generation, Market Analysis, Openness to Change, Organizational Leadership, People Leadership, Presentation Delivery, Sales Forecasting, Sales Performance Coaching, Sales Pipeline Management, Sales Reporting {+ 10 more}
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Remote
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
Yes
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
09/23/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
