Regional Head, API Sales and Business Development (Europe)

Dedicated HR Services; United States; Remote; USD 134,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential client, an established manufacturer of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients with a growing European portfolio, seeks a commercial leader to own Europe end-to-end: grow existing accounts, open new ones, and bring the right molecules to market at the right time. Based remotely in Europe, this role requires travel to meetings, conferences, and customer visits.

You will shape strategy, partner with R&D, Regulatory, and Manufacturing, and mentor the sales and BD team to deliver sustainable

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Sales and Business Development within API or bulk drug manufacturing.
• In-depth understanding of European API market dynamics, EMA and EU GMP requirements.
• Proven track record building and negotiating C-level and senior relationships in European pharma.
• Demonstrated success launching new APIs and opening new geographic markets in Europe.
• Strong analytical, commercial and strategic planning ability.
• Excellent English, written and spoken; additional European languages are a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sales planning for Europe including annual budget and commercial strategy.
• Drive business development and market expansion across Europe.
• Build long-term, high-value relationships with pharmaceutical companies, CDMOs and buyers.
• Use IQVIA data, European pricing insights, and EMA frameworks to shape entry and positioning.
• Collaborate with R&D, Regulatory Affairs and Manufacturing to align product development with market demand.
• Mentor Sales and BD colleagues to uphold a high-performance, customer-first standard.

Skills

Strategic planning

Business development

Negotiation

Market analysis

Regulatory awareness

English proficiency

Job description

Confidential client: an established manufacturer of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients with a growing regulated-market portfolio, now building its commercial presence across Europe.

Position snapshot

• Reports to: Head of Sales
• Scope: API sales and business development across the entire European market
• Base: remote, anywhere in Europe
• Travel: regular customer visits across Europe, plus industry conferences and trade shows

Why this role exists

Europe is a priority growth market for the company, and the opportunity is bigger than the current footprint. The business needs one commercial leader who owns the European number end to end: growing existing accounts, opening new ones, and bringing the right molecules to market at the right time. This is a role for someone who understands the European pharmaceutical value chain as well as the deal, and who can turn regulatory and portfolio strength into lasting supply partnerships.

What you will own

1. Strategic sales planning

• Build and deliver the annual sales budget and commercial strategy for Europe, aligned to overall business goals
• Track the KPIs that matter so regional revenue and profitability targets are met

2. Business development and market expansion

• Identify, evaluate and secure new business across the key pharmaceutical hubs of Europe
• Read product pipelines and market demand to drive well-timed API portfolio launches

3. Customer relationships

• Build long-term, high-value relationships with pharmaceutical companies, CDMOs and buyers across Europe
• Retain and grow existing accounts, with a clear plan to increase share in each

4. Market analysis and regulatory insight

• Use IQVIA data, competitive pricing, European patent landscapes and EMA frameworks to shape entry and positioning
• Recommend and lead new product introductions where you see market gaps and customer need

5. Cross-functional partnership

• Work closely with R&D, Regulatory Affairs and Manufacturing so product development follows market demand
• Support smooth technology transfers, DMF filings and on-time commercial rollouts

6. Team and culture

• Mentor colleagues in the Sales and BD function and set a high-performance, customer-first standard

Who we are looking for

• 8+ years in Sales and Business Development within API or bulk drug manufacturing
• In-depth understanding of European API market dynamics, EMA and EU GMP requirements, and patent landscapes
• A proven record of building and negotiating C-level and senior relationships in European pharma
• Demonstrated success launching new APIs and opening new geographic markets in Europe
• Strong analytical, commercial and strategic planning ability
• Excellent English, written and spoken; additional European languages are a strong advantage
• Willingness to travel across Europe as the business requires

What the role offers

• Ownership of an entire continent's API business, with a real say in portfolio and market strategy
• A direct line to the Head of Sales and close partnership with R&D, Regulatory and Manufacturing
• The freedom of a remote, Europe-based role with the backing of an established manufacturer
• A competitive package with fixed and performance-linked components, benchmarked to the European market

All applications are handled in confidence by a Dedicated HR Services partner. The client is named to shortlisted candidates only.