Business Development Manager

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability.

SGS’s Life Sciences services support the pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare sectors with expert testing, clinical research, auditing, and certification—ensuring product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance from development to market.

Job Title: Business Development Manager

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Job Location: Hybrid working in the Deeside office, 1 day working in the office

Salary: competitive, including a car allowance

Industry: Life Science

This is a true hunter role, with around 80% of your time dedicated to generating new business opportunities and 20% focused on developing existing relationships.

You'll identify and engage pharmaceutical, biotech and life science companies, building relationships with key decision-makers across pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, procurement, technical operations and senior leadership. You'll manage opportunities from initial prospecting through qualification before introducing customers to our commercial and technical specialists.

Working closely with commercial and technical colleagues across the business, you'll combine your own prospecting activity, networking and market knowledge with internal support to build a strong pipeline and deliver long-term growth.

Sales cycles can be complex and typically range from several months up to two years, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys strategic selling and developing relationships over time.

What You'll Be Doing

• Identifying and targeting pharmaceutical, biotech and life science organisations aligned to our CDMO capabilities.
• Building and managing your own pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Prospecting through networking, referrals, targeted outreach, conferences and industry events.
• Developing relationships with decision-makers and influencers across the pharmaceutical sector.
• Understanding customer requirements and aligning solutions to their needs.
• Working collaboratively with commercial and technical teams to progress opportunities.
• Maintaining accurate CRM records, forecasts and opportunity updates.
• Sharing customer, competitor and market intelligence with the wider business.
• Representing SGS at customer meetings, exhibitions and industry events.
• We're open to candidates from a variety of life science and pharmaceutical backgrounds. You may currently be working in:
• CDMO services
• CRO services
• Pharmaceutical services
• Contract manufacturing
• Life sciences sales
• Scientific or technical business development
• You don't need to be the technical expert. Our specialist technical teams provide the in-depth scientific support, so we're looking for someone who can confidently build relationships, identify opportunities and create commercial value.

Most importantly, you'll bring

Experience selling services within the life sciences, pharmaceutical or biotech sector.

A strong new business mindset and passion for winning opportunities.

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Commercial awareness and a consultative sales approach.

Resilience, drive and self-motivation.

The confidence to engage senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

The ability to manage long and complex sales cycles.

A proactive, commercially focused approach with the determination to build a successful pipeline from scratch.

Whether you're an ambitious sales professional looking for your next step or an experienced Business Development Manager with a strong network in the pharmaceutical industry, we'd love to hear from you. We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and are particularly interested in individuals who can bring fresh perspectives, energy and a passion for winning new business.

At SGS, we believe in rewarding our employees for their hard work and commitment. As part of our team, you would be eligible for:

Performance related bonus (discretionary and subject to eligibility criteria)

Private medical cover (BUPA)

Competitive pension scheme + Life Assurance

Generous Annual Leave allowance (increasing with service) plus bank holidays

Retailer Discounts

Enhanced maternity/paternity and adoption pay

Length of Service Awards

Christmas Vouchers

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

An additional day off for your birthday

Discounted Gym Membership

SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law.

APPLY NOW for full consideration, if you are selected for an interview, or further consideration, we will be in touch with you directly.