Sales Representative (Stanford/South Bay)

Avantor; California; Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor’s Education and Medical Research Sales team seeks a field-based Sales Representative to cover San Jose and Santa Cruz academic markets. You’ll build relationships with researchers, tailor a broad portfolio to meet unique needs, and act as a trusted partner through consultative selling.

Ideal candidates bring 2–5+ years in complex B2B sales, strong CRM experience, and a demonstrated ability to manage opportunities, travel 5 days/week, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive

Qualifications

• Education: College degree or equivalent/applicable experience required.
• 2–5+ years of success in complex sales environments with long sales cycles and multiple decision-makers.
• Solid background in B2B sales with strong client relationships.
• Experience utilizing CRM platforms to manage opportunities, maintain pipeline visibility, and drive sales performance.

Responsibilities

• Sell consultatively by identifying customer needs, presenting tailored solutions, and recommending Avantor | VWR's products and services face to face in the science labs.
• Leverage resources to implement marketing plans, strategies and sales processes.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships to drive satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term growth.
• Collaborate with sales leadership to develop and implement strategic territory plans to achieve sales goals.

Skills

Complex sales experience

B2B sales

CRM proficiency

Account management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Opportunity: Avantor | VWR is looking for a dedicated and high energy Sales Representative to maintain and advance our Education and Medical Research Sales Efforts. As a field-based Sales Representative, you'll be out in San Jose and Santa Cruz academic markets every day, building relationships with researchers, learning what drives their work, and helping them find the right tools to advance discovery. Through a consultative, solutions-oriented approach, you’ll tailor Avantor’s broad portfolio to meet each customer’s unique needs—becoming a trusted partner in their scientific journey. This role extends far beyond traditional sales and requires strong account and business management skills. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking, creativity, and business development expertise with the confidence to engage new customers, navigate complex situations, and uncover opportunities. Success in this role requires someone who listens first, delivers value, and positions Avantor as a trusted solution partner. If you have a passion for science and enjoy interacting with professionals both as clients and peers – let’s talk!

What we are looking for

• Education: College degree or equivalent/applicable experience required
• Experience: 2–5+ years of success in complex sales environments, ideally involving long sales cycles and multiple decision-makers
• Solid background in B2B sales, with the ability to build and maintain strong client relationships
• Experience utilizing CRM platforms to manage opportunities, maintain pipeline visibility, and drive sales performance
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to develop targeted selling strategies and identify growth opportunities
• Excels in face-to-face communication
• Highly organized with masterful and timely follow up
• A passion for continuous growth, both personal and financial
• A valid driver’s license is required in good standing, as travel may be necessary to fulfill key responsibilities of the role
• Willing to travel to customer sites 5 days per week
• Collaboration Tool: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneNote

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory, scientific research, healthcare, or academic environment
• Experience within scientific distribution, laboratory products, or related industries
• Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline

How you will thrive and create an impact

• Sell consultatively by identifying customer needs, presenting tailored solutions, and recommending Avantor | VWR's products and services face to face in the science labs
• Leverage available resources to effectively implement company marketing plan, strategies and sales processes
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships to drive satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term growth
• Collaborate with sales leadership to develop and implement strategic territory plans to achieve sales goals
• Manage a diverse product portfolio and align sales efforts with company-defined strategies
• Prospect and acquire new customers by managing a sales pipeline and delivering compelling proposals that highlight Avantor's value
• Grow existing accounts by aligning solutions with evolving customer needs and retention strategies
• Represent Avantor in the field and build strong partnerships with key manufacturers
• Work closely with manufacturer reps to enhance product knowledge, secure competitive pricing, and improve account profitability
• Work closely with an extended selling team of dedicated specialists
• Organize and host vendor events on campus
• Be the face of VWR for all aspects of account management: customer service, accounting, procurement partnership, and more

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT (Under Typical Positions) Typically works in a home office environment with extensive regional travel to customer locations with expectation of presence on campuses 4-5 times per week. Work assignments are diversified. Examples of past precedent are used to resolve work problems. New alternatives may be developed to resolve problems. A frequent volume of work and deadlines impose strain on routine basis. Minimal physical effort is required. Work is mostly sedentary but does require walking, standing, bending, reaching, lifting or carrying objects that typically weigh less than 10 lbs.

#LI-Remote 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, $59,150.00 - $100,740.00 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, $98,600.00 - $167,900.00 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.