At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth by building relationships with scientists and decision-makers in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Company: Join a leading company in excipients, innovating for large and small molecule formulations.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a collaborative environment with great corporate perks.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation while making impactful connections.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in Life Sciences or related field; 5+ years in technical sales or business development.
- Other info: Remote work options available; ideal for proactive individuals ready to drive initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
The Role
In this customer facing role as Business Development Specialist Excipients, you will play a crucial role in driving the short and long-term growth of our Excipient business by identifying and developing new business opportunities for our broad portfolio of technically differentiated excipients for large and small molecule formulation. You will be responsible for establishing new relationships with formulation scientists and decision makers, growing existing relationships and ensuring effective communication of the scientific and value-driven advantages of our portfolio of functional and innovative excipients. To do this, you will need a strong understanding of formulation and excipients, excellent communication and relationship management skills and a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset. This role can be based within the UK or Ireland.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify, build and nurture robust, trust-based relationships and opportunities with formulation scientists and key decision-makers among defined innovative prescription drug manufacturers which can include global strategic accounts, regional accounts and research centres, by leveraging scientific credibility.
- Act as the scientific expert in front of customers, demonstrating a deep understanding of our excipient portfolio, clearly articulating scientific benefits and value propositions.
- Act as the owner for the formulation business with your customers, supporting them on the journey towards smart formulations utilizing our technologies, products and services.
- Collaborate with our commercial, marketing and R&D teams to achieve sales and innovation/seeding targets by developing, qualifying, pursuing, proposing, negotiating and winning customer opportunities.
- Maintain accurate records of leads, customer interactions, and sales activities in the CRM system.
- Establish yourself as a strategic link between customers and internal product teams, ensuring alignment and proactive territory management.
- Stay up to date with competitive activities, industry trends, regulatory updates, and advancements in pharmaceutical processing to refine sales strategies and deepen customer engagement.
Who You Are
Minimum Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (MSc or higher) in Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 yearsβ experience in technical sales, business development, or a relevant role within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry.
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical formulations and excipient applications.
- Demonstrated expertise in using our CRM tool SFDC to record, track and follow-up customer activities.
- Exceptional communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to network effectively, build long-term relationships, and establish credibility and trust.
Preferred:
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline, with direct experience in formulation development.
- A Graduate-level business education (e.g., MBA) can be a plus.
- Familiarity with cGMP pharmaceutical production processes, including upstream and downstream unit operations.
- Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset; able to work autonomously and drive initiatives independently.
- Experience in remote working environments.
- Strong analytical and diagnostic questioning skills to identify customer needs.
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical regulations and compliance requirements is advantageous.
Business Development Excipients employer: Merck Gruppe
Contact Detail:
Merck Gruppe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Business Development Excipients
β¨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, and local meetups to connect with formulation scientists and decision-makers. Building these relationships can give you insights into potential job openings and help you stand out.
β¨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in excipients and pharmaceutical formulations. Subscribe to relevant journals, follow industry leaders on social media, and engage in discussions. This knowledge will not only enhance your credibility but also prepare you for insightful conversations during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of CRM tools, particularly SFDC, by familiarising yourself with its features and functionalities. Being able to discuss how you've used such tools in past roles can showcase your organisational skills and readiness for the position.
β¨Tip Number 4
Prepare to articulate your experience in building trust-based relationships. Think of specific examples where you've successfully engaged with clients or stakeholders, highlighting your communication and relationship management skills. This will be crucial in showcasing your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Excipients
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in business development and technical sales within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry. Emphasise your understanding of excipients and formulation applications, as well as any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and drive growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate your passion for the role and how your background aligns with the company's needs. Mention your advanced degree and any relevant experience that showcases your expertise in pharmaceutical formulations and excipient applications. Use specific examples to illustrate your communication and relationship management skills.
Highlight Relevant Skills: When detailing your skills, focus on those that are crucial for the role, such as exceptional communication, storytelling, and presentation abilities. Also, mention your experience with CRM tools like SFDC, as well as your analytical skills that help identify customer needs.
Showcase Your Proactive Mindset: Demonstrate your proactive and entrepreneurial mindset in your application. Provide examples of how you've taken initiative in previous roles, driven projects independently, or contributed to innovative solutions in business development or technical sales.
How to prepare for a job interview at Merck Gruppe
β¨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Make sure to demonstrate your understanding of excipients and pharmaceutical formulations during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully applied this knowledge to drive business development.
β¨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since this role involves establishing relationships with customers, it's crucial to show your interpersonal skills in the interview. Engage with your interviewers, ask questions, and listen actively to create a connection that reflects your ability to build trust with clients.
β¨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle real-life situations in the role. Prepare examples that highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to identify customer needs, and how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous roles.
β¨Demonstrate Your Proactive Mindset
Highlight instances where you've taken initiative in your previous roles. Discuss how you've driven projects independently or identified new business opportunities, showcasing your entrepreneurial spirit that aligns with the company's values.