Head - International Business Development - Speciality Chemicals/Pharma

A Mumbai based Speciality Chemicals and Pharma Intermediates maker is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and result-oriented Head of International Business Development to lead global growth strategies. In this role, you will be responsible for driving revenue growth across our core portfolios: Speciality Chemicals, Pharma Intermediates, and custom CDMO services.

You will identify new market opportunities, build strategic alliances with global pharmaceutical and chemical companies, and lead a high-performing business development team to achieve international sales targets.

Global Strategy & Market Expansion:

• Formulate and execute the international business development strategy to expand the company's footprint across key regions (e.g., Japan, Germany, North America, Europe, LATAM, and APAC).
• Identify emerging market trends, competitive landscapes, and regulatory shifts to position our Speciality Chemicals and Pharma Intermediates effectively.
• Develop and execute targeted entry strategies for custom CDMO services, targeting innovator and generic pharma companies.

Client Acquisition & CDMO Pipeline Management:

• Lead end-to-end B2B sales cycles, from prospecting and initial technical presentations to commercial negotiations and contract signing.
• Pitch the company's CDMO capabilities (R&D, scale-up, regulatory compliance, and commercial manufacturing) to global partners.
• Secure long-term contracts, Master Services Agreements (MSAs), and tech-transfer projects for intermediates and custom synthesis.

Account Management & Strategic Alliances:

• Nurture and scale relationships with Key Accounts, procurement heads, and R&D leaders in global pharma and chemical organizations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for international clients, ensuring high satisfaction and repeat business.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D, Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Quality Assurance) to ensure alignment with client project timelines and technical specifications.

Team Leadership & Brand Representation:

• Lead, mentor, and track the performance of the international business development and account management teams.
• Represent the company at major international trade shows, conferences, and exhibitions (e.g., CPHI, Chemspec, InformEx).

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Masters/Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline.
• MBA in International Business, Marketing (Highly Preferred).

Experience:

• 15+ years of total experience in B2B sales/business development within the chemical or pharmaceutical industry.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role handling international markets.
• Proven track record of successfully selling in developed markets.

Technical & Commercial Competencies:

• Deep understanding of Pharma Intermediates, Regulatory frameworks and Speciality Chemical applications.
• Strong knowledge of CDMO business models, technical transfers, and chemical synthesis lifecycles.
• Exceptional negotiation, contract management, and financial acumen (pricing models, margin analysis).

Soft Skills & Travel:

• Native or professional fluency in English (knowledge of additional languages like Japanese, German is a big plus).
• Willingness to travel internationally for client meetings and trade shows.