Country Manager, USA

Scope Group

About The Position

The Country Manager, USA is the senior leader of Scope Eyecare’s US business and is accountable for its performance, sustainable growth, culture and effective operation. Reporting to the CEO, the role owns the US business plan and P&L and leads the commercial organisation, including the Head of Sales, National Account Leads for Eyecare and Retail, and the Sales Operations Project Manager. The position coordinates US-facing marketing, medical, quality, regulatory, supply chain, warehousing, logistics and customer service activity with group functions in Ireland so the US business operates as one joined-up organisation. This hands-on general management position is for a leader with experience running a US affiliate of an international business. The Country Manager sets direction for the US team, develops its leaders, manages important customer relationships, leads responses to product, compliance or channel issues, and represents Scope in the US market. The role works closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Board.

Requirements

MBA or equivalent business qualification.
Extensive senior general-management experience, typically acquired over many years of affiliate or business-unit leadership in consumer healthcare, OTC, pharmaceutical, medical device or eyecare.
Proven experience leading a US affiliate, subsidiary or business unit of an international company; European-headquartered experience is ideal.
Strong commercial background, primarily in sales leadership, with full P&L and budget ownership.
Extensive US pharmacy and mass-retail experience and a record of growing national accounts such as CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger and Target.
Deep understanding of US retail, including category reviews, planograms, trade spend, promotions, deductions and retailer compliance.
Strong eye care experience and credibility with optometrists, ophthalmologists and eye care practices.
Experience growing business with optical retail chains, buying groups and practice networks across OD/MDs.
Track record of leading and developing a national field sales organisation, including sales managers.
Hands-on experience with US quality and regulatory matters, such as FDA inspections, recalls or warning letters.
Experience overseeing supply chain, 3PL warehousing, logistics and customer service operations.
Strong business acumen, financial literacy, commercial judgement and negotiation skills with senior customers, partners and suppliers.
Clear, confident communication skills and comfort presenting to a leadership board.
High emotional intelligence and ability to build trust with teams, customers and colleagues in Ireland.
Calm, solution-focused problem-solving approach, with strong planning skills and data-driven decision-making.
Visible, hands-on leadership, including meaningful time with customers and the field team, and alignment with Scope’s values: Authentic, Creative, Driven and The Craic.
Authorisation to work in the United States and willingness to travel regularly across the US and to Ireland.

Nice To Haves

Degree in a science or life science discipline, such as pharmacy, optometry, biology or chemistry.
Experience in both smaller, fast-growing companies and larger organisations.
Experience with US product launches, Amazon and e-commerce, and wholesaler relationships.
Progressive and curious approach, with practical early adoption of AI and digital tools.

Responsibilities

Own the US business plan, annual budget and P&L, delivering agreed revenue, gross margin, operating profit and cash targets.
Translate group strategy into a three-year US growth strategy, annual operating plan and capability roadmap with measurable priorities and outcomes.
Lead US monthly business reviews, rolling forecasts and annual planning with Group Finance.
Oversee US legal-entity governance, including contracts, insurance, risk management and compliance with US employment and commercial law, with group and external adviser support.
Set priorities and allocate resources across the US business, balancing growth, profitability and capability building.
Lead the Head of Sales and national field sales organisation, including regional sales managers and account managers serving eye care professionals.
Shape field coverage, territory design and call strategy; own the US sales incentive plan with People & Culture and Finance; and improve sales effectiveness through CRM discipline, KPIs, coaching and performance reviews.
Support professional education and engagement with optometrists and ophthalmologists, including major US meetings and regional congresses.
Lead Key Accounts across eye care and retail; develop joint business plans with strategic accounts; and own trade terms, contract negotiations and trade-spend measurement.
Manage wholesaler and distributor relationships, own Amazon and e-commerce performance, and ensure field sales and Key Accounts execute customer agreements together.
Work with the group marketing team on the US brand plan, manage US marketing investment, and lead product launches with the Head of Marketing and Head of Sales.
Ensure promotional materials and claims receive appropriate medical, regulatory and legal review.
Work with Medical and Professional Affairs on key opinion leader and professional-body relationships, clinical evidence, professional education and medical information; ensure adverse events and product complaints are reported correctly and promptly.
Coordinate US quality and regulatory activity with group teams and ensure compliance with FDA requirements for OTC drugs, medical devices and dietary supplements, as well as retailer and state-level requirements.
Lead US responses to product and compliance issues, including recalls, FDA inspections and correspondence such as warning letters.
Oversee US supply chain performance, demand planning, S&OP, inventory and product availability with the group supply chain team.
Manage US 3PL and warehousing partners, inbound logistics, import and customs, and outbound distribution to customers, retailers and Amazon fulfilment.
Lead US customer service and order-to-cash, including order management, returns, deductions, chargebacks and credit control with Finance; improve service, cost and working capital.
Build and lead a high-performing US leadership team and shape the organisation as the business grows, including hiring, objectives, accountability, performance, development and succession planning.
Promote engagement, retention and resilience, maintain contingency plans for business-critical roles, and ensure HR practices meet US employment law.
Bring US customer and market insight into the product pipeline and support new product and business development with group teams.
Run the business using clear data, reporting and forecasting, and champion practical use of AI, digital tools and automation.
Represent Scope with industry bodies such as the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and maintain close working connections between the US and Ireland.