Business Development Director (f/m/d)

About NextPharma

NextPharma is a rapidly expanding European contract development and manufacturing organization serving pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, and health nutrition customers. The group employs around 2,250 people across Germany, France, Finland, Norway, and the UK, and operates ten European sites. Its capabilities span pharmaceutical development through clinical supply and commercial manufacturing, with a strong focus on solids, semi-solids, sterile and non-sterile liquids, and soft capsules. The company also works across a wide range of dosage forms and packaging formats, including tablets, chewables, hard and soft capsules, powders, pellets, topicals, sprays, syrups, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, sterile ophthalmic and otic solutions, plus blow-fill-seal, blisters, bottles, sachets, stick packs, and tubes. Additional specializations include hormonal products, cephalosporins, penicillins, modified release, lipid-based formulations, ophthalmics, and health nutritionals.

Role overview

NextPharma is looking for a strategic and energetic Business Development Director to drive new commercial growth in the pharmaceutical CDMO market, especially within non-sterile oral and topical liquids such as syrups, solutions, suspensions, and emulsions, as well as creams, gels, and ointments. The position is focused on finding new opportunities, winning new customers, expanding market presence, and building a strong pipeline that supports annual revenue goals and broader company strategy. The role works closely with two key European sites and benefits from recent investment in large-scale compounding capacity that has strengthened the company’s market offer.

Key responsibilities

• Win new business from pharma, biotech, and health and nutrition customers in the non-sterile liquids and topical segments.
• Study market movements and industry data to spot attractive commercial opportunities.
• Create, manage, and advance a healthy sales pipeline from first contact through to contract sign-off.
• Maintain broad territory coverage across regions, markets, and customer groups.
• Push revenue expansion by pursuing sales targets and closing deals proactively.
• Develop durable customer relationships and serve as a trusted commercial partner.
• Partner with technical, project, and operations teams to ensure customer requirements match internal capabilities.
• Track sales activity, performance, and forecasts accurately in CRM systems.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in business, science, or a closely related discipline.
• Between 5 and 10+ years of business development experience in the pharmaceutical CDMO sector, ideally in EU-speaking markets.
• A strong record of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Good knowledge of drug development and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities, including contractual discussions.
• Willingness to travel for customer meetings and industry events.
• Solid technical understanding of pharmaceutical CDMO services.
• Fluency in English.

Personal attributes

The ideal candidate is highly driven, proactive, and focused on results. They should be able to build trust quickly with clients and stakeholders and have a strong grasp of the CDMO market, customer expectations, and competitive conditions.

What’s offered

• A competitive salary package with performance-linked incentives.
• The chance to work with a leading CDMO supporting global pharma, biotech, and health and nutrition clients.
• A collaborative, innovative working culture.
• Opportunities for career progression and professional development.

Working details

This is a full-time role with a 40-hour work week. The position is based onsite in Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany, with an EU scope and travel expected as part of the job. The report line is to the VP & Head of Business Development. The role is to be filled as soon as possible.