Business Development Manager

SGS; Sealand Manor; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance related bonus

Private medical cover (BUPA)

Generous Annual Leave

Enhanced maternity/paternity and adopt

Length of Service Awards

Birthday day off

Discounted Gym Membership

Job summary

SGS is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification with a strong Life Sciences division. We are seeking a Business Development Manager to drive new business across pharmaceutical and biotech sectors and manage key client relationships.

The role is hybrid with Deeside office presence, focused on creating long-term value through strategic selling and a broad network of decision-makers. You’ll work with cross-functional teams to deliver growth while navigating complex sales cycles.

Qualifications

• Experience selling services within life sciences, pharma or biotech.
• Strong new business mindset and drive to win opportunities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial awareness and a consultative sales approach.
• Resilience, motivation and ability to engage senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Identify and target pharma, biotech and life science organisations aligned to our CDMO capabilities.
• Build and manage your pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Prospect via networking, referrals, outreach and industry events.
• Develop relationships with decision-makers across the pharmaceutical sector.
• Understand customer needs and align SGS solutions accordingly.
• Collaborate with commercial and technical teams to progress opportunities.
• Maintain CRM records, forecasts and updates.
• Share market intelligence with the wider business.
• Represent SGS at meetings, exhibitions and events.

Skills

New business development

Relationship building

Prospecting

CRM management

Life sciences sales

Tools

CRM software

Job description

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability.

SGS’s Life Sciences services support the pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare sectors with expert testing, clinical research, auditing, and certification—ensuring product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance from development to market.

• Job Title:Business Development Manager
• Hours:37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday
• Job Location:Hybrid working in the Deeside office, 1 day working in the office
• Salary:competitive, including a car allowance

Job Description

This is a true hunter role, with around 80% of your time dedicated to generating new business opportunities and 20% focused on developing existing relationships.

You'll identify and engage pharmaceutical, biotech and life science companies, building relationships with key decision-makers across pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, procurement, technical operations and senior leadership. You'll manage opportunities from initial prospecting through qualification before introducing customers to our commercial and technical specialists.

Working closely with commercial and technical colleagues across the business, you'll combine your own prospecting activity, networking and market knowledge with internal support to build a strong pipeline and deliver long-term growth.

Sales cycles can be complex and typically range from several months up to two years, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys strategic selling and developing relationships over time.

What You'll Be Doing

• Identifying and targeting pharmaceutical, biotech and life science organisations aligned to our CDMO capabilities.
• Building and managing your own pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Prospecting through networking, referrals, targeted outreach, conferences and industry events.
• Developing relationships with decision‑makers and influencers across the pharmaceutical sector.
• Understanding customer requirements and aligning solutions to their needs.
• Working collaboratively with commercial and technical teams to progress opportunities.
• Maintaining accurate CRM records, forecasts and opportunity updates.
• Sharing customer, competitor and market intelligence with the wider business.
• Representing SGS at customer meetings, exhibitions and industry events.

Qualifications

We're open to candidates from a variety of life science and pharmaceutical backgrounds. You may currently be working in:

• CDMO services
• CRO services
• Pharmaceutical services
• Contract manufacturing
• Life sciences sales
• Scientific or technical business development

You don't need to be the technical expert. Our specialist technical teams provide the in-depth scientific support, so we're looking for someone who can confidently build relationships, identify opportunities and create commercial value.

Most importantly, you'll bring:

• Experience selling services within the life sciences, pharmaceutical or biotech sector.
• A strong new business mindset and passion for winning opportunities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial awareness and a consultative sales approach.
• Resilience, drive and self‑motivation.
• The confidence to engage senior stakeholders and decision‑makers.
• The ability to manage long and complex sales cycles.
• A proactive, commercially focused approach with the determination to build a successful pipeline from scratch.

Whether you're an ambitious sales professional looking for your next step or an experienced Business Development Manager with a strong network in the pharmaceutical industry, we'd love to hear from you. We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and are particularly interested in individuals who can bring fresh perspectives, energy and a passion for winning new business.

Additional Information

At SGS, we believe in rewarding our employees for their hard work and commitment. As part of our team, you would be eligible for:

• Performance related bonus (discretionary and subject to eligibility criteria)
• Private medical cover (BUPA)
• Generous Annual Leave allowance (increasing with service) plus bank holidays
• Enhanced maternity/paternity and adoption pay
• Length of Service Awards
• An additional day off for your birthday
• Discounted Gym Membership

SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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