Regional Director, Sales

8000 - United States - VWR International LLC; California; Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Regional Director, Sales to lead a high-performing Biopharma production chemicals and single-use assemblies sales team across the U.S. territory.

You will drive revenue growth, nurture executive-level customer relationships, and execute strategic plans to meet corporate sales targets while ensuring robust pipeline management and forecast accuracy. The role requires 5+ years in commercial sales, strong leadership experience, and fluency in strategic sales and account

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; graduate degree a plus.
• 5+ years of commercial sales experience with high-level negotiation.
• 3+ years in a sales role; leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing sales team across the U.S. territory.
• Drive revenue growth and expand strategic customer relationships.
• Mascot pipeline management, forecast accuracy, and executive-level engagement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with account, marketing and partner sales organizations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Negotiation

CRM experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Graduate degree a plus

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Regional Director, Sales leads and develops a high-performing sales team focused on production chemicals, single-use assemblies, and fluid handling solutions for biopharma customers across an assigned U.S. territory. This role is responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding strategic customer relationships, and executing commercial strategies to achieve corporate sales objectives. The Regional Director provides leadership, coaching, and support for complex sales opportunities while ensuring strong pipeline management, forecast accuracy, and customer engagement, including executive-level interactions. This position collaborates cross-functionally with key account, marketing, and partner sales organizations to maximize growth opportunities and deliver operational and financial results. The Regional Director, Sales is responsible for managing the team of Biopharma & Medtech Production specialists to identify and develop new business opportunities across the Biopharma Production portfolio as well as liaise with VWR sales organizations to identify new business opportunities that align with the business strategies to meet sales performance goals.

What we’re looking for:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent/applicable experience; graduate degree a plus
• Experience: 5+ years of commercial experience in sales handling high level negotiation with customers Minimum 3 years of experience in a sales role, leadership experience preferred

Who you are:

Up to 50% travel

Knowledge:

• Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing – In-depth understanding of biopharma processes, single-use technologies, and industry trends.
• Technical Sales & Product Expertise – Strong knowledge of technical products, service lines, and solutions offered in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Sales Strategy & Business Development – Knowledge of strategic sales planning, pipeline management, and revenue growth strategies.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Familiarity with CRM systems for tracking customer interactions, sales forecasting, and opportunity management.
• Negotiation & Contract Management – Understanding of high-level negotiation tactics and contract management in the biopharmaceutical sector.
• Financial Acumen – Ability to interpret financial statements, set sales targets, and assess profitability.
• Market & Competitive Analysis – Strong knowledge of market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities in the industry.

Skills:

• Leadership & Team Development – Ability to recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing sales teams.
• Strategic Thinking – Capability to develop long-term sales strategies and short-term tactical plans.
• Communication & Presentation – Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present to C-Suite executives.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making – Strong analytical skills to address customer needs, resolve sales challenges, and identify growth opportunities.
• Interpersonal & Relationship Building – Ability to cultivate relationships with customers, internal teams, and external partners.
• Project & Time Management – Ability to prioritize multiple projects, manage deadlines, and drive results.
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Coordination – Ability to work with cross-functional teams
• Negotiation & Influencing – Ability to negotiate complex deals and influence internal and external stakeholders.

Abilities:

• Drive Sales Growth – Ability to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities to achieve revenue targets.
• Adaptability & Change Management – Ability to navigate complex commercial situations and market shifts.
• Customer-Centric Approach – Ability to understand and address customer needs to create long-term partnerships.
• Data-Driven Decision Making – Ability to analyze sales data, market trends, and business performance to make informed decisions.
• Executive-Level Engagement – Ability to facilitate and lead discussions with senior executives and key stakeholders.
• Resilience & Initiative – Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle challenges, and take initiative to drive success.

How you will thrive and create an impact:

Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing sales team across the assigned U.S. territory focused on biopharma production chemicals and single-use assemblies/systems. Provide strategic guidance and hands-on support to team members in navigating complex commercial negotiations, customer escalations, and solution-based selling opportunities. Recruit, coach, mentor, and retain top sales talent through structured development plans, performance management, and continuous sales skills enhancement. Develop and execute long-term business development strategies while driving short-term tactical initiatives to achieve revenue growth, market penetration, and profitability objectives. Establish and implement direct sales strategies targeting biopharma customers, including expansion within existing accounts and acquisition of new business opportunities. Partner with the sales team to plan and execute customer engagement strategies, including executive-level meetings, technical discussions, and growth initiatives for chemical and fluid handling portfolios. Build, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with existing customers, while proactively identifying and pursuing new customer opportunities within the biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Drive disciplined opportunity management through active utilization of CRM systems, ensuring timely follow-up on leads generated through marketing campaigns, trade shows, referrals, and other promotional activities. Maintain an accurate and robust sales pipeline, providing regular business updates, opportunity tracking, and reliable sales forecasting to senior leadership. Collaborate closely with Global Key Account Management teams to maximize market presence, strategic alignment, and revenue growth opportunities within major pharmaceutical accounts. Develop and strengthen collaborative relationships with PBI sales organizations and cross-functional internal stakeholders to support integrated commercial initiatives. Conduct and facilitate executive-level customer presentations, including engagement with C-suite leadership, procurement, manufacturing, and technical stakeholders. Monitor market trends, competitive activity, customer requirements, and industry developments to inform commercial strategy and identify emerging growth opportunities. Ensure alignment with company policies, commercial processes, pricing strategies, and compliance requirements across all sales activities. Deliver assigned revenue, profitability, customer retention, and market share objectives for the territory. Perform other duties as assigned.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Why Avantor? Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $108,050.00 - $183,540.00 This reflects base salary. This position is subject to incentive compensation, where the expected pre-tax Target Cash Opportunity (“TCO”) for this position is based on the achieved sales and in the amount/range of, $154,400.00 - $262,200.00 Actual Pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and eligible geographic location. TCO is defined as Base Salary + Target Sales Incentive (Sales Incentive eligible role only).

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

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3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.

Avantor offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, and an employee stock purchase program. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays, accrue 18 PTO days annually, are eligible for volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave). These benefits may not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement or those subject to other eligibility rules.

Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world.