Business Development Director (m/f/d)

emplify GmbH; East Calder; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

NextPharma, a leading European pharmaceutical CDMO, seeks a driven Business Development Director to lead new business generation across non-sterile liquids and topicals. You will shape our commercial strategy, build a robust pipeline, and drive revenue growth with cross-site collaboration in Europe.

The role requires 5–10+ years in BD within pharma/CDMO, strong relationship-building, and fluency in English. Travel to customer sites and industry events is expected. Location: EU, full-time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, science, or a related field.
• 5–10+ years of business development experience in the pharmaceutical CDMO industry, preferably in EU-speaking regions.
• Fluent in English.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings and industry events.

Responsibilities

• Customer acquisition: Identify and convert new customers across pharma, biotech, and health & nutrition sectors for non-sterile liquids and topicals.
• Market development: Analyze industry trends and data to identify high-potential markets.
• Pipeline management: Build and maintain a robust pipeline from lead generation to contract closure.
• Global territory coverage: Ensure strategic coverage across all markets and customer segments.
• Revenue growth: Drive business expansion and meet annual sales targets through proactive engagement and deal execution.
• Relationship building: Establish and nurture long-term partnerships, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with technical, project management, and operations teams to align customer needs with internal capabilities.
• Reporting & forecasting: Maintain accurate records of sales activities, forecasts, and performance metrics using CRM tools.

Skills

Sales Leadership

EU Market Experience

Pharma CDMO

Strategic Partnerships

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

EH53 0TH Livingston 03.09.2026 NextPharma

Business Development Director (m/f/d)

Location: BE, DE | HH, DE | Goettingen, NI, DE, 37081 | Goettingen, NI, DE, 37081 | Tampere, FI | SN, DE | NI, DE | ST, DE | NO | BY, DE | BW, DE | HB, DE | SH, DE | Goettingen, NI, DE, 37081 | Bielefeld, NW, DE, 33605 | RP, DE | BB, DE | Goettingen, NI, DE, 37081 | HE, DE | SL, DE | London, GB, SW1H 0HW | Goettingen, NI, DE, 37081 | Ploermel, FR, 56803 | Waltrop, NW, DE, 45731 | PL | Goettingen, NI, DE, 37081 | Livingston, GB, EH53 0TH | Limay, FR, 78520 | MV, DE | TH, DE | Berlin, BE, DE, 13509 | Düsseldorf, NW, DE, 40468

Job Function: Sales

Anticipated Start Date: 01.08.2026

Job Type: Full-Time

Are you looking for...

an exciting professional challenge?

We are one of the leading European contract manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare sectors, with some 2,300 employees in Germany, France, Finland, UK and Norway. For us, the next step is always the one that matters most. Our fast pace drives us forward, fills our working environment with life and spurs our growth. Our winning formula for shared success: room for passion. Because we know that passion is the best medicine when it comes to excellent service around the world. Welcome to NextPharma.

We are currently seeking a Business Development Director (m/f/d) ASAP.

Location: EU

Reports To: VP & Head of Business Development

Function: Sales / Business Development

Type: Full Time (40h/week)

Company Overview – NextPharma

NextPharma is a fast-growing European pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with ten sites across Europe: five in Germany, two in France and one each in Finland, Norway and Scotland. The company specializes in solids, semi-solids and sterile/non-sterile liquids, offering services from pharmaceutical development to clinical supply and commercial manufacturing. The company is also active in nutritional health especially in the area of soft capsules. NextPharma’s dosage forms include tablets, chewable tablets, hard capsules, soft capsules, powders, pellets, topicals, sprays, syrups, solutions, emulsions, suspensions as well as sterile ophthalmic and otic solutions. Packaging is supported as well such as blow-fill-seal, blisters, bottles, sachets, stick packs and tubes. NextPharma also provides specialized services in hormonal products, cephalosporins, penicillins, modified release, lipid-based formulations, ophthalmics, and health nutritionals.

Role Summary

We are seeking a driven and strategic Business Development Director to lead new business generation efforts in the pharmaceutical CDMO space for non-sterile oral/topical liquids (syrups, solutions, suspensions, emulsions) and topicals (creams, gels, ointments). This role is designed to drive commercial growth by identifying new business opportunities, engaging and converting new customers and accelerating growth within the non-sterile liquid and topical technologies of NextPharma. You’ll be at the forefront of our commercial strategy, building a robust pipeline and ensuring consistent market coverage to meet and exceed annual revenue targets aligned with NextPharma’s strategic goals. This role requires close collaboration with two of NextPharma’s key sites in Europe. Recent investments in our large-scale compounding capabilities have increased capacity and strengthened our ability to serve customers with an attractive and competitive market offering, fueling continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer acquisition: Identify and convert new customers across pharma, biotech, and health & nutrition sectors for non-sterile liquids and topicals.
• Market development: Analyze industry trends and data to identify high-potential markets.
• Pipeline management: Build and maintain a robust pipeline from lead generation to contract closure.
• Global territory coverage: Ensure strategic coverage across all markets and customer segments.
• Revenue growth: Drive business expansion and meet annual sales targets through proactive engagement and deal execution.
• Relationship building: Establish and nurture long-term partnerships, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with technical, project management, and operations teams to align customer needs with internal capabilities.
• Reporting & forecasting: Maintain accurate records of sales activities, forecasts, and performance metrics using CRM tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, science, or a related field.
• 5–10+ years of business development experience in the pharmaceutical CDMO industry, preferably in EU-speaking regions.
• Proven track record of exceeding sales targets.
• Strong understanding of drug development and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation (including contractual) and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings and industry events.
• Solid technical expertise in Pharma/CDMO services.
• Fluent in English.

Personal Attributes

• Go-Getter Attitude: Highly motivated, proactive and results-oriented.
• Relationship Builder: Exceptional ability to build trust and rapport with clients and stakeholders.
• Market Insight: Deep understanding of the CDMO landscape, competitive dynamics and customer needs.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to work with a leading CDMO serving global pharma and biotech and H&N clients.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Career growth and development opportunities.