Strategic Partner, Major Accounts

Avantor; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Global Account Director to lead strategic growth across its most valued global partnerships in life sciences, biotech and advanced manufacturing. You will serve as the executive point of contact for key accounts, driving alignment across geographies to deliver value, margin growth and customer satisfaction.

Based in/near the Bay Area, you will collaborate with stakeholders worldwide, manage pricing strategies, and negotiate contracts while leading cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; advanced degree or certifications preferred.
• 7+ years of sales leadership in a global, matrixed environment.
• Proven success managing executive-level relationships and leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong executive presence with influence across legal, finance, operations, and technical functions.
• Expertise in pricing strategy, contract negotiation, and vendor management.
• Skilled in leading presentations, proposal development, change management and strategic initiatives.
• Global market awareness and cultural fluency in customer engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead global account strategy with alignment across sales, supply chain, pricing, and contracts.
• Drive growth in matrix-selling environments through cross-functional collaboration.
• Serve as executive liaison for global accounts, managing communications and performance metrics.
• Develop and execute pricing and margin strategies with finance and procurement.
• Negotiate favorable terms with manufacturers and channel partners.
• Deliver impactful presentations and lead contract proposals for new and existing opportunities.
• Advocate for customer needs internally to ensure timely resolution and long-term alignment.

Skills

Global account management

Executive leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Pricing strategy

Contract negotiation

Vendor management

Executive presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

MBA or industry certifications preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Dynamics

Power BI

Job description

The Opportunity:

Join Avantor as a Global Account Director and lead strategic growth across our most valued global partnerships in the life sciences, biotech, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

This high-impact role is ideal for a seasoned commercial leader with experience in global account management, cross-functional collaboration, and customer-centric strategy.

You'll serve as the executive point of contact for key accounts, driving alignment across geographies and functions to deliver exceptional value, margin growth, and customer satisfaction.

Candidates should be based in/near the Bay Area to support collaboration with key stakeholders and global accounts.

What We're Looking For:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree or industry certifications (e.g., APICS, Six Sigma, MBA) preferred.

Experience:

• 7+ years of sales leadership in a global, matrixed environment.




• Proven success managing executive-level customer relationships and leading cross-functional teams.




• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence across legal, finance, operations, and technical functions.




• Expertise in pricing strategy, contract negotiation, and vendor management.




• Skilled in leading presentations, proposal development, change management and driving strategic initiatives.




• Global market awareness and cultural fluency in customer engagement.




• Up to 50% travel required to maintain global account performance and customer engagement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in life sciences, pharma, biotech, or specialty chemicals.




• Experience with multi-supplier/channel distribution or scientific supplier networks.




• Exposure to CDMO, CRO, capital equipment, or regulated environments.




• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Dynamics), forecasting tools (e.g., Power BI), and global compliance standards (e.g., GMP, ISO).

How You Will Thrive and Create an Impact:

• Lead global account strategy, ensuring alignment across sales, supply chain, pricing, and contract teams.




• Drive growth in a matrix-selling environment through collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.




• Serve as the executive liaison for global accounts, managing communications, performance metrics, and strategic initiatives.




• Develop and execute pricing and margin strategies in partnership with finance and procurement.




• Negotiate favorable terms with manufacturers and channel partners.




• Deliver impactful presentations and lead contract proposals for new and existing opportunities.




• Advocate for customer needs internally, ensuring timely resolution and long-term alignment.

NVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT (Under Typical Positions)

Typically works in an office environment with adequate lighting and ventilation and a normal range of temperature and noise level.

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. Some overnight travel to sales meetings vendors may be required.

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.

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

$123,500.00 - $209,760.00

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.

Privacy Policy:

We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role.

Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.

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.