Business Development Manager (Excipients)

Chr. Olesen Group; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Chr. Olesen Group seeks a senior Business Development Manager to spearhead a new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients business from the ground up.

You will own strategic development, establish the company’s presence in excipients, and lead long-term growth with hands-on commercial execution in an international environment. The role demands deep industry expertise, senior leadership, and a proven track record in building businesses from scratch.

Qualifications

• Profound product and market knowledge of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients.
• At least 10 years in excipient trading or manufacturing.
• At least 10 years in sales to major pharma and/or nutraceuticals (excipients).

Responsibilities

• Develop and establish Chr. Olesen as a recognized partner in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipient segment.
• Build and scale the Excipient business with long-term growth and commercial performance.
• Drive new customer acquisition and market expansion through proactive business development.
• Source and introduce new excipient products, expanding the portfolio.
• Define go-to-market strategy, including segmentation, positioning and value proposition.
• Act as the commercial face of the Excipient business with customers, suppliers and partners.
• Collaborate with Group HQ, Application Experts and global Pharma and Food teams.
• Coordinate with senior stakeholders to ensure alignment with group strategy.

Skills

Excipients knowledge

Sales to pharma/nutrition

International travel

Strategic business development

Sourcing relationships

Job description

Chr. Olesen Group is a leading international distribution company specializing in vitamins, minerals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients for the feed, food, pharma, and technical industries. With products sourced primarily from Asia, we proudly serve esteemed customers worldwide. As a family-owned business led by the 4th and 5th generations, we combine significant turnover with a close-knit team, making our roles both challenging and rewarding. Discover more about our fascinating history at www.chr-olesen.dk.

About the Role

We are establishing a new business area focused on pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients, and we are looking for a highly experienced and entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to lead the build-up of this segment from the ground up.

This position holds full responsibility for developing and establishing Chr. Olesen’s presence in the excipient segment. The role combines strategic business development with strong hands-on commercial execution and a high degree of ownership over long-term growth and market positioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and establish Chr. Olesen as a recognized partner within the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipient segment
• Build and scale the Excipient business, with responsibility for driving sustainable long-term growth and commercial performance
• Drive new customer acquisition and market expansion through proactive and hands-on business development activities
• Identify, source, and introduce new excipient products, creating and expanding a competitive and relevant portfolio
• Define and execute go-to-market strategy, including customer segmentation, product positioning, and value proposition
• Act as the commercial face of the Excipient business toward customers, suppliers, and partners
• Collaborate closely with Group HQ functions, Application Experts and global Pharma and Food teams
• Cooperate with senior group stakeholders to ensure alignment with overall group strategy and long-term objectives

Key Skills for Success

We are looking for a senior, entrepreneurial profile with deep industry expertise. You are likely to succeed if you:

• Have profound product and market knowledge of excipients for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications
• Bring at least 10 years of experience within the excipient segment (trading company or excipient manufacturer)
• Bring at least 10 years of experience within sales to major Nutraceuticals and/or Pharmaceuticals companies (Excipients)
• Have experience with sourcing and supplier relationships (an advantage)
• Are comfortable with frequent international travel (approx. 40–50%)
• Work independently with a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and trustworthiness
• Demonstrate a strong commercial mindset and solid business understanding
• Are highly self-motivated and ambitious, with a strong drive to grow a business from scratch
• Are a proactive team player with a positive, solution-oriented mindset
• Demonstrate resilience and long-term commitment to building a successful business

Why Chr. Olesen Group?

• Global Exposure: Workwith a diverse team across multiple countries and gain invaluable international experience.
• Career Growth: We believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward-thinking company that leverages cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.

Are You Our Business Development Manager?

If you are an entrepreneurial professional motivated to build and grow a new business area in an international environment, we look forward to hearing from you.

The base location for the position is negotiable and depends to a reasonable extent on where the right candidate is located.