Salary in big pharma

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
I am Swiss but living in the UK for a "global" pharma/chemicals company. I desperately want to relocate back to Switzerland for family reasons but find it difficult because jobs are very hard to pin down (not sure why...but I left before it was invaded by French and German job seekers...).

Anyway I have been offered a good position with my current employer, in charge of sales and business development for chemicals for Switzerland and another country. They did not mention salary before the offer, how much would be ok do you think? I was way disappointed I have to say when I got the contract, because this is lots of responsibility, I will be working 24/7 and have PhD with 5 years work experience in the UK, including 3 with my employer.

Thanks

2
I just can't resist sorry... You now expect French & German invaders to disclose their salaries to you, do you? I have to disappoint you even more - there aren't only French and German ones out here

3
How much were you offered? If you are "desperate" to get back then I'd take the job. Then once you get back start looking for a new job it you aren't happy with the one you have.

To get back home, right now, I'd take just about anything.

4
160K absolute minimum.

5
Thanks, that's quite what I have in mind but changing job after a few months is frown upon in Switzerland.

6
Well they offered half this amount...

Not sure what I will do, it is not easy to find something at the moment

7
No. This is not exactly correct, more like if you keep changing companies after a few months then that is frowned upon. I'm assuming you've been with the same company for a few years now.

8

Well you might have read the article on pharma recently in the NZZ paper. Pharma is cutting back and even on sales an marketing positions surprise surprise really as this they never do. You do have the education but I think you are short on experience as 5 years is not much for getting the salary you are looking for.

PM me if you wish to discuss any issues in the pharma/chemical space.

9
5 years exp/ 160k chf is stuff of fairy tale land.

10
Working 24/7? No, they are not offering you enough.

11
I think that's not too far off for 5 years' experience and in sales/marketing. Sales/marketing in pharma is tough right now.

They'll bonus it up or raise it if you produce.

jmho

12
100K is fairly standard in my company for a permanent position with this degree and experience

13
I am just picking up this thread one year one. Newbie here and has been offered a job in Neuchatel for a biotech as a drug safety specialist. Does 85K for my 6yrs experience feel appropriate? Would appreciate insite from anyone. Thanks!

14
Slightly below average I would say, but salaries tend to decrease these days. Actually since Switzerland's borders are wide open to EU workers...

With 85K CHF from my own experience you will enjoy the lifestyle of someone on a 30K GBP salary in places like Birmingham or Liverpool. So not poverty but far from the high-life. Prices are extremely high here, especially rents (don't dream to own your own place with an 85K CHF income) and healthcare (bye bye NHS, here it is all private and expensive, although high quality).

Good luck!

15
I'd say it was closer to a UK equiv. of £40k than £30k.

Neuchatel is not the most expensive place in Switzerland, and you'll have a huge lake in front of you, and the Jura behind you, and a view of the Alps while you eat your sandwiches.

In any case, the UK seems to be going nowhere, so if they'll pick up the tab for the relocation, why not take a punt?

16
out of interest, what exactly does a marketing guy for a pharma co actually do on a day to day basis?

17
Phil,

I've worked in Pharma all my life and I think it is a bit unfair just to limit the question to marketing

18
You may want to check the www.experteer.ch

There you can have a glimpse into the salaries and what the jobmarket has to offer.

19
Hi All,

Thanks for your reply. Aside from the salary the health insurance is paid for by the company as an extra so that is one thing that I don't have to worry about. Guess i will not be living the high life... for now.

20
ummm, you're Swiss, working in the UK but feel it's perfectly ok to repeatedly lament the fact that others come to Switzerland for work.

Isn't that just a tad hypocritical?