Head – CDMO & API Business Development (US)

Healthcaa; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Healthcaa in the United States seeks a seasoned Head of CDMO & API Business Development to lead global commercial strategy for CDMO services. Based in the US, you will drive new business, expand strategic partnerships, and accelerate revenue growth across North America and other regulated markets.

The role requires an extensive network in pharma/biotech, a track record of securing high-value CDMO projects, and deep knowledge of API development, tech transfer, scale-up and manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 12–20 years of progressive pharma business development experience.
• Significant CDMO commercial sales and client acquisition expertise.
• Strong negotiating and multi-million-dollar outsourcing deal experience.
• Ability to travel extensively in North America and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global commercial strategy for the company's CDMO and API business.
• Identify and secure new CDMO opportunities across API development, process development, scale-up and commercial manufacturing.
• Develop strategic relationships with pharmaceutical innovators, biotechnology companies and generic manufacturers.
• Generate and manage a robust sales pipeline while achieving revenue targets.
• Lead complex commercial discussions, RFP responses, proposals, pricing strategies and contract negotiations.
• Collaborate with Technical Operations, R&D, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Project Management teams.
• Represent the company at global industry conferences and customer meetings.
• Develop long-term account strategies for strategic clients and key accounts.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity and outsourcing opportunities.
• Provide commercial leadership and market intelligence to support strategic business decisions.

Skills

CDMO sales experience

Business development

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Sales pipeline management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy/chemistry/life sciences or related

MBA or Master's degree preferred

Job description

Head - CDMO & API Business Development (US)

Location: United States

Position Type: Full-Time

Experience: 12-20 Years

Industry: Pharmaceutical | CDMO | API | Life Sciences

Job Summary

We are seeking an accomplished Head - CDMO & API Business Development to lead our global commercial strategy with a primary focus on Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services. Based in the United States, this leadership role will be responsible for driving new business acquisition, expanding strategic partnerships, and accelerating revenue growth across North America and other regulated markets.

The successful candidate will possess an extensive network within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and a proven track record of securing high-value CDMO projects involving development, technology transfer, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing. API business development experience will be an added advantage.

Candidates currently working with or having prior experience at leading global CDMOs such as Lonza, Curia, Catalent, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Recipharm, PCI Pharma Services, Almac Group, Cambrex, or similar organizations will be highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the global commercial strategy for the company's CDMO business, with primary responsibility for business growth in the US and other regulated markets.
• Identify and acquire new CDMO opportunities across drug substance, API development, process development, analytical services, technology transfer, scale-up, validation, and commercial manufacturing.
• Develop strategic relationships with pharmaceutical innovators, biotechnology companies, specialty pharmaceutical organizations, and generic manufacturers.
• Generate and manage a robust sales pipeline while consistently achieving annual revenue and profitability targets.
• Lead complex commercial discussions, RFP responses, proposal development, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations.
• Collaborate closely with Technical Operations, R&D, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Project Management teams to deliver integrated client solutions.
• Represent the company at global industry conferences, partnering events, and customer meetings, including CPHI, BIO International, DCAT Week, and other key pharmaceutical events.
• Develop long-term account strategies for strategic clients and key accounts.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, outsourcing opportunities, and emerging therapeutic segments.
• Provide commercial leadership and market intelligence to support strategic business decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
• MBA or Master's degree preferred.
• 12-20 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical business development, with significant experience in CDMO commercial sales and client acquisition.
• Demonstrated success in winning and managing high-value CDMO projects within regulated markets.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical development, API manufacturing, technology transfer, cGMP manufacturing, and commercialization.
• Excellent commercial acumen with experience negotiating multi-million-dollar outsourcing agreements.
• Strong presentation, communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel extensively across North America and internationally.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working for globally recognized CDMOs or pharmaceutical outsourcing organizations.
• Strong network across US-based pharmaceutical, biotech, and specialty pharma companies.
• Experience managing customers in the US, Europe, Canada, and other regulated markets.
• Knowledge of FDA, EMA, MHRA, ICH, and cGMP regulatory requirements.
• Experience selling integrated development and manufacturing services from early-stage development through commercial manufacturing.

Preferred Companies

Candidates from the following organizations (or equivalent global CDMOs/API companies) will be highly preferred:

• Lonza
• Curia
• Catalent
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Patheon)
• Recipharm
• PCI Pharma Services
• Almac Group
• Cambrex
• Piramal Pharma Solutions
• Jubilant Biosys / Jubilant Pharmova
• Sai Life Sciences
• Aragen Life Sciences
• Syngene International
• Dishman Carbogen Amcis
• Hikal
• Divi's Laboratories

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to lead the commercial growth of a rapidly expanding pharmaceutical organization with ambitious global CDMO and API aspirations. You will play a pivotal role in building strategic customer partnerships, driving international business expansion, and positioning the company as a preferred CDMO partner for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide.