Job Title: API Business Unit Manager
Location: Dubai, UAE / Africa-focused role
Department: Global Business
Reporting To: CEO
About the Role
We are launching a new API Trading Business focused on supplying pharmaceutical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients to manufacturers and customers across Africa.
This new business unit is regarded as a strategic area of development for the Atome Pharma Group in the short, medium and long term.
We are looking for an experienced API professional with strong knowledge of API sourcing and trading, established relationships with API manufacturers, and a solid customer network in Africa. The successful candidate will be responsible for building the business from the ground up, developing suppliers and customers, identifying opportunities and delivering profitable sales.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage a network of reliable API manufacturers and suppliers, particularly in India, China and other competitive sourcing markets.
- Identify API requirements and source products based on customer specifications, quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Negotiate competitive prices, MOQ, payment terms, lead times and commercial conditions with suppliers.
- Develop and maintain relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and API customers across Africa.
- Identify new API opportunities, prepare commercial offers and convert enquiries into profitable orders.
- Develop the API product portfolio based on market demand, pricing, competition and profitability.
- Monitor API market trends, pricing, competitors, manufacturers and customer requirements.
- Coordinate with QA/Regulatory, Procurement, Logistics and Finance teams for smooth execution of orders.
- Ensure appropriate API documentation, including GMP, DMF/CEP, CoA and specifications, is available and reviewed.
- Manage negotiations between suppliers and customers and develop long-term, recurring business.
- Monitor sales, margins, collections and overall profitability of the API Trading Business.
- Responsible for the budget: its planning, implementation and monitoring.
- Responsible for the business unit’s income statement and P&L
Key Performance Indicators
- API sales revenue and gross margin
- New African customers and active customer base
- New qualified API manufacturers/suppliers
- Number and value of qualified opportunities
- New APIs introduced and converted into sales
- Enquiry-to-order conversion and repeat business
- Supplier competitiveness and reliability
- Collection performance and overall business profitability
- Budget and P&L
Candidate Profile
- 5–10+ years’ experience in API trading, sourcing, sales, procurement or pharmaceutical business development.
- Strong understanding of the API industry and international pharmaceutical supply chain.
- Established relationships with API manufacturers, preferably in India and/or China.
- Existing customer network among pharmaceutical manufacturers in Africa, preferably Francophone and/or Anglophone markets.
- Good understanding of API specifications, pharmacopoeial standards and regulatory documentation.
- Strong commercial, negotiation and analytical skills, including margin evaluation.
- Knowledge of Incoterms, international logistics and export documentation.
- Ability to work independently and build a new business line from the ground up.
- Willingness to travel across Africa
- French language skills would be an advantage.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to build and lead a new strategic API Trading Business for Africa.
- High level of ownership, responsibility and decision-making.
- International exposure across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
- Performance-based career growth and attractive incentive structure.
Ideal Candidate
A commercially driven API professional who can connect both sides of the business — bringing together reliable API manufacturers and pharmaceutical customers in Africa, identifying opportunities, negotiating competitive prices and converting them into profitable, sustainable business.
Apply by sending your CV to im@atomepharma.com by September 15, 2026.