SPARTANBURG, S.C. (June 28, 2017)—J M Smith Corporation has named Saul Factor, RPh, as the new president of QS/1, effective July 1, 2017. Factor, who brings a wealth of experience and leadership in all areas of pharmacy, was selected in an international search after current president Tammy Devine announced her decision to retire after 35 years with the company earlier this year.
“Saul brings such a unique set of skills to QS/1,” said Devine. “As an active member of the selection committee, and as someone who is committed to the future of this organization, I am excited that his training as a pharmacist, and his vast experience as a business leader, will give him a true understanding of all our customers, and an ability to relate to their challenges as QS/1 moves forward.”
Factor earned his degree in pharmacy and spent the first ten years of his career as both a retail and long-term care pharmacist before moving into sales and brand management with PCS and Eli Lilly. He then moved to RxAmerica, where he was charged with developing the strategy and vision to improve the customer experience, creating a culture that placed the customer at the focus of the organization. During his tenure as COO, the company’s revenues doubled to $1 billion.
“One of the first things that struck me about Saul was his commitment to customers, shareholders and employees,” said Alan Turfe, CEO and Chairman of the Board, J M Smith Corporation. “Saul has a track record of success—he has built teams that have deployed both operational and commercial excellence programs focused on delivering a better customer experience while driving incremental shareholder value. Saul is also clearly committed to the success of his team through talent development and growth, which is an important cultural fit for us.”
Following his success at RxAmerica, Factor was recruited to McKesson Corporation, as senior vice president of Global Generics. One of his first projects was to lead a technology transformation to bring systems together. Factor then worked to create a customer segmentation program which enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty, while strengthening his internal team and their results. The program was successful in generating millions in incremental revenue, and resulted in 30 percent of his team receiving promotion opportunities within the corporation. Factor was then named president, Global Sourcing and Procurement, where he had executive oversight of all global sourcing and procurement at the pharmaceutical distributor and health care information technology company.
“Our industry is rapidly transforming, and it is important to provide customers with what they need now while also working to address their future needs,” said Factor. “I have known QS/1 for a long time, and I am excited to join a team that is poised to grow from being a premier vendor in the industry to becoming the premier pharmacy partner ready to meet the demands of the future.”
Factor’s experience in every facet of the pharmacy industry, from patient care to pharmacy benefit management to pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution to global generic sourcing have honed his focus on the customer. “I believe the customer is at the center of everything we do, and that listening to them and then tailoring a solution for their success, ultimately leads to our success. At the same time, I believe that employees are also customers and that we should all expect transparency and a drive to succeed from each other.”
“Tammy Devine has been an integral part of QS/1 since she was hired as a programmer 35 years ago by Mr. Jim Smith, son of our founder,” said Turfe. “She built upon Mr. Smith’s legacy and vision by creating a culture focused on customers, community, supplier partners and employees. That foundation, and Saul’s background in customer-focused growth mean that this is an incredibly exciting time for QS/1 and the J M Smith Corporation.”
Factor, a native of New York, earned a BS in pharmacy from Northeastern University in Boston and an MBA from University of New Haven. He is looking forward to moving to Spartanburg with his wife Ann.
Visit qs1.com for more information.
