Head of Sales India - Process Solutions, LS

Merck Life Science; Ahmedabad District; On-site; INR 7,000,000 - 12,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck Life Science is seeking a Head of Sales, India – Process Solutions, to own the commercial performance of a key Indian zone. You will lead a high-performing field sales team across four city hubs, build senior relationships with biopharma manufacturers, and deliver a rolling business plan aligned with India strategy and global priorities.

You will manage full P&L, pricing, and multi-year contracts, while partnering with Marketing, Applications, Customer Service, and Supply Chain to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field.
• 14–18 years of commercial life sciences experience with at least 5 years leading multi-city zonal/regional sales teams.
• Deep knowledge of bioprocessing workflows and associated technologies.
• Strong network in India’s pharma/biotech sector, especially in Western and Southern regions.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive commercial performance for a major India Process Solutions zone.
• Lead pricing strategy, multi-year supply agreements, and revenue growth.
• Coach Regional and Area Sales Managers and Application Specialists.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Applications, Customer Service, Supply Chain, and global product teams to shape GTM strategies.

Skills

Sales leadership

Forecasting

CRM proficiency

Strategic planning

People development

Education

Biotechnology/Life Sciences degree

Business qualification (advantage)

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Work Your Magic with us! Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

Head of Sales, India – Process Solutions

Your Role

As Zonal Sales Manager for Process Solutions, you will own and shape the commercial performance of one of the most strategically significant zones in India, driving growth across a portfolio that enables the manufacture of biologics, vaccines, gene therapies, and small molecules. In this pivotal role, you will lead a high performing field sales team across four city hubs, build and sustain senior relationships with Tier 1 pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers, contract development and manufacturing organizations, and emerging cell and gene therapy companies, and deliver a rolling business plan aligned with the India country strategy and global priorities.

You will own the full zonal profit and loss, including revenue, gross margin, and operating expense, across all product lines spanning upstream cell culture and bioprocess materials, downstream purification and filtration, and single use systems and services. You will set commercial priorities, lead pricing strategy and multi year supply agreement negotiations, and monitor market share and competitive dynamics with the agility to course correct in real time.

Beyond revenue delivery, you will build a culture of accountability, customer centricity, and continuous learning within your team, coaching and developing Regional and Area Sales Managers and Application Specialists. You will partner closely with Marketing, Applications, Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Technical Sales to deliver integrated, solutions oriented proposals, and work with global product teams to shape India specific go to market approaches. Acting as the voice of the Indian customer internally, you will provide market intelligence and drive adoption of data driven selling practices across the zone.

Who You Are

• You bring 14 to 18 years of progressive commercial experience in life sciences, bioprocessing, or scientific instrumentation, including at least 5 years leading multi city zonal or regional sales teams and a demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding large scale revenue targets.
• You hold a degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience; an advanced degree or business qualification is an advantage.
• You have deep knowledge of bioprocessing workflows, including upstream cell culture, downstream purification, filtration, and single use technologies, and you engage credibly with senior scientific, manufacturing, and procurement stakeholders.
• You bring a strong existing network within India's pharmaceutical and biotech sector, particularly across Western and Southern India, and ideally experience developing accounts in contract development and manufacturing, contract research, or gene therapy and vaccine manufacturing.
• You are skilled in commercial forecasting, pipeline management, and customer relationship management tools, applying data driven insights to guide territory planning, deal structuring, and team performance.
• You lead with clarity and purpose, setting ambitious targets, conducting structured performance reviews, and building talent pipelines through coaching, succession planning, and inclusive team development.
• You operate with a strong ethical compass, ensuring all commercial activities comply with applicable codes of conduct, anti corruption policies, and local regulations.
• Familiarity with the Indian regulatory environment, government or public sector tender processes, or experience launching new product lines in India is an advantage.

Location

Ahmedabad, India

This role requires approximately 50 to 60 percent travel within the zone, with occasional international travel.

What we offer

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!