Director, Business Development

The Opportunity: Join Avantor as a Director of Strategic Business Development and drive strategic growth across a portfolio of competitively held accounts in the Midwest region. This global-facing role is designed for a strategic hunter who excels at building executive-level relationships, leading cross-functional initiatives, and unlocking new opportunities in both biopharma and industrial sectors. You'll serve as a key liaison for high-value accounts, aligning internal stakeholders across sales, supply chain, pricing, and contracts to deliver exceptional customer value and position Avantor as a trusted partner in scientific and industrial advancement. The ideal candidate will be located in the Midwest area to enable close collaboration with key stakeholders and must be willing to travel up to 50% to customer sites and internal meetings.

What we are looking for

• Education: College degree or equivalent/applicable experience required

• Experience: 5+ years of business development or sales experience in a solution-based, B2B environment.

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

  • Strong executive presence with the ability to influence across all organizational levels

  • Experience in pricing strategy, contract negotiation, and vendor relationship management

  • Familiarity with biopharma, industrial, or life sciences sectors preferred

  • Valid driver's license required due to travel expectations

• Collaboration Tool: Proficiency with CRM systems, using data to manage pipelines and optimize performance

How you will thrive and create an impact

You will thrive by developing and executing strategic account plans, building trust with senior decision-makers, and collaborating across internal teams to deliver tailored solutions. Your ability to navigate complex customer environments and drive alignment across sales teams will be key to unlocking growth and delivering value across a diverse account portfolio. Collaborate with Regional Directors, VPs, and Sales Representatives to support state-specific programs and initiatives.

• Lead strategic business development efforts across a portfolio of high-value, competitively held accounts

• Serve as the primary liaison for assigned accounts, managing communications, expectations, and performance metrics

• Build and manage executive-level relationships to elevate Avantor's presence and influence

• Partner with Sales Representatives, Regional Directors, and VPs to align strategy and execution

• Coordinate a matrix-selling environment to drive market segment growth and customer satisfaction

• Develop and execute pricing strategies in collaboration with internal stakeholders to maintain competitiveness and profitability

• Deliver compelling customer presentations and lead contract proposal efforts for new and existing opportunities

• Represent Avantor at customer visits, industry events, and internal strategy sessions

Environmental Working Conditions & Physical Effort

Typically works in a home office environment with extensive regional travel to customer locations. Work assignments are diversified. A frequent volume of work and deadlines impose strain on routine basis. Minimal physical effort is required; work is mostly sedentary but may require walking, standing, bending, reaching, or lifting light objects.

Disclaimer

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be exhaustive. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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, bringing new patient treatments and therapies to market and enabling medical devices that improve lives. We are committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture with learning experiences to support your career growth. Apply today

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $121,700.00 - $202,800.00. Actual pay may differ depending on factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

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 law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email with the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, view the Know Your Rights poster.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without being formally assigned to a specific job requisition, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you may forfeit any fee on submitted candidates. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs.

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, 18 PTO days annually, volunteer time off, and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (subject to eligibility). These benefits may vary for employees under a collective bargaining agreement or other eligibility rules.