BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Location: Essex
Department: Commercial
Reports to: CEO
Employment type: Full-time
About the role
GMPriority Pharma is looking for a commercially confident, highly organised Business Development Manager to manage new client opportunities from first enquiry through to signed project agreement and delivery.
This is a client-facing, commercially focused role combining new business development, client relationship management, project coordination and administration.
Our clients come to us with technically complex nutraceutical, formulation, manufacturing and ingredient requirements. Your role will be to understand what they are trying to achieve, qualify the opportunity, coordinate the right internal expertise, define the project clearly and guide the client through to commercial agreement and project delivery.
What you’ll be responsible for
You will:
- manage inbound commercial enquiries;
- qualify prospective clients and opportunities;
- lead discovery calls and early commercial discussions;
- identify the most appropriate GMPriority Pharma route;
- coordinate technical input from R&D, Quality, Operations and Production;
- ensure project requirements are clearly defined before quotation;
- prepare and coordinate proposals and quotations;
- manage client questions, revisions and commercial negotiations;
- coordinate NDAs, agreements and other required documentation;
- ensure assumptions, exclusions, responsibilities and dependencies are clear;
- maintain accurate opportunity records and document versions;
- guide projects through the pre-launch commercial process;
- deliver a complete, structured handover internally, once the project is signed;
- remain the commercial relationship contact.
What success looks like
A successful Business Development Manager does more than win work.
By the time a project is communicated internally, everyone should understand:
- what the client has commissioned;
- what GMPriority Pharma will deliver;
- what is outside scope;
- what information or approvals are still required;
- the commercial and payment position;
- key technical or operational dependencies;
- who the client decision-makers are;
- what happens next.
What we’re looking for
Essential:
- strong B2B account-management, commercial or consultative sales experience;
- confident commercial acumen and a proven ability to structure, negotiate and close deals
- experience handling complex client requirements;
- excellent written and verbal communication;
- strong questioning and discovery skills;
- high attention to detail;
- confidence dealing with senior client stakeholders;
- experience preparing proposals, quotations or project scopes;
- strong organisation and follow-up discipline;
- the ability to coordinate technical and operational colleagues;
- confidence managing several opportunities at different stages;
- a clear, professional and commercially sensible approach to client expectations.
Highly desirable:
- Experience within pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, biotechnology, manufacturing or scientific R&D environments.
- Understanding of product development, formulation or manufacturing processes.
- Experience working with B2B clients.
- Experience preparing quotations or commercial proposals.
- Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000 or related quality standards.
You’ll be a good fit if you are
- commercially confident without being aggressively sales-led;
- naturally curious and comfortable asking detailed questions;
- highly organised;
- precise in your communication;
- comfortable challenging unclear or unrealistic expectations;
- able to build strong client relationships without over-promising;
- confident working with scientists, technical specialists and operational teams;
- disciplined about documentation and follow-up;
- able to distinguish a strong opportunity from one that is not right for GMPriority Pharma.
About GMPriority Pharma
GMPriority Pharma is a UK-based specialist in ingredient-led formulation engineering, advanced delivery systems and nutraceutical development and manufacture.
We work with brands and commercial partners across white label, bespoke development, contract manufacturing, bulk ingredients and branded ingredient opportunities.
Our approach begins with the science of the active ingredient and follows projects through structured technical and commercial stages toward scalable manufacture.
Why this role matters
At GMPriority Pharma, a well-defined project is part of the sale.
The Business Development Manager ensures that commercial opportunities are not simply won, but properly understood, documented and prepared for successful delivery.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, understanding complex requirements and turning early-stage conversations into clear, commercially sound projects.
*Strictly no agencies please*
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Colchester CO6 1TW: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
