Working conditions?


anonymous

Guest
I saw a job listed and have human pharma experience and a little animal healthcare background. Would you recommend I pursue? Why or why not?

Please, only reply with serious posts. This would be a major career change for me
 


What animal health company did you work for? There’s not too many big players in animal health now, and BI is one of the four companies that make up over 60% of industry sales. I’d say it depends on how good you get along with your manager and how much support you get, like most sales jobs. There are worst places to work - just read the human reps posts on this site, I don’t think anyone likes their job or company.
 


I thought I would bump this post up as I am in a similar situation. Years in pharma and medical device, currently in pharma but looking at a BI animal health position. I'm guessing this would be a sizeable pay cut for me ( at least in the short-term), but we are deliberating relocating for my spouse's job and I thought the switch from human to animal might be refreshing. Am quite familiar with buy-and-bill, injectable meds, clinical selling, etc. Am I crazy to think about the switch? Is it reasonable to think I could make over 120k after a year or so of building the business?

Also, are most of these positions companion animal ( cat, dog) or do you have the entire line? Hard to tell from the listing.

Thanks for any advice- I always welcome snarky comments as well as the constructive stuff.
 






I have to disagree with a previous reply - unless you’re a distributor rep with a good territory, I don’t see any manufacturer rep from any animal health company making 6 figures. Like the human side, mfg drug reps on the animal side have seen substantial decreases in compensation in the last decade. Those mfg jobs comp plans are based around approx 80% salary / 20% bonus, where distribution rep plans are typically majority commission with good territories having $120-200k potential. That being said, distribution seems to be pushing reps out with more telemarketing and dwindling vendor margins, resulting in lower commissions. The mfg reps jobs may pay somewhat less, but are probably much more stable than distribution jobs in the near term.
 


I have to disagree with a previous reply - unless you’re a distributor rep with a good territory, I don’t see any manufacturer rep from any animal health company making 6 figures. Like the human side, mfg drug reps on the animal side have seen substantial decreases in compensation in the last decade. Those mfg jobs comp plans are based around approx 80% salary / 20% bonus, where distribution rep plans are typically majority commission with good territories having $120-200k potential. That being said, distribution seems to be pushing reps out with more telemarketing and dwindling vendor margins, resulting in lower commissions. The mfg reps jobs may pay somewhat less, but are probably much more stable than distribution jobs in the near term.

Well, you’re wrong. I’ll agree with the other post. I would say that 50% of mfg reps make in the low $100’s when you add salary+bonus.
 


At BI if you’re not consistently making $120k+ per year you’re doing something VERY wrong. I’m never in top 10% and always make at least $120k. Let’s be honest- they pay us pretty damn well!
 


All I can say is don’t go to work for a distributor. That used to be the premier job in animal health, not any more. Don’t do it unless you’re adept at and like pushing practice solutions such as software, payment systems, reminder and retention programs, and other non-product related crap. Not to mention the real possibility of a random layoff (Covetrus just let go 80 reps) or pay / commission decrease. Yeah I’ve been in distribution a long time, but not for long.
 


I have to disagree with a previous reply - unless you’re a distributor rep with a good territory, I don’t see any manufacturer rep from any animal health company making 6 figures. Like the human side, mfg drug reps on the animal side have seen substantial decreases in compensation in the last decade. Those mfg jobs comp plans are based around approx 80% salary / 20% bonus, where distribution rep plans are typically majority commission with good territories having $120-200k potential. That being said, distribution seems to be pushing reps out with more telemarketing and dwindling vendor margins, resulting in lower commissions. The mfg reps jobs may pay somewhat less, but are probably much more stable than distribution jobs in the near term.

if you aren’t making 6 figures at an animal health company somethings wrong. You either suck or are a terrible negotiator
 






Distribution is dying. Work everywhere sucks. Plan on being replaced by low cost automation. Sign up anyone for the connect lately ? We love it when clinics order online and don't talk to anyone
 



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