Sales Manager Pharmaceutical Intermediates
Job Summary
The Sales Manager will develop and expand sales of pharmaceutical intermediates, advanced intermediates, and KSMs to API manufacturers and originators in Japan. This role focuses on building strong technical and commercial relationships to drive sustainable revenue growth. The position involves managing strategic accounts and coordinating between internal R&D, manufacturing, and QA teams.
Responsibilities
- Develop sales of pharmaceutical intermediates and KSMs in Japan
- Manage strategic accounts and build long-term customer relationships
- Coordinate with R&D, manufacturing, and QA teams
- Handle commercial contracts, pricing, and supply agreements
- Conduct market intelligence and competitor analysis
Required Skills
- 10-15 years industry experience (API/Intermediates/CDMO)
- Fluent Japanese (N1) and professional English
- Strong technical knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Strategic account management
- Market analysis and business development
Job Details
Job Description
Job Purpose
To develop and expand sales of pharmaceutical intermediates, advanced intermediates, and key starting materials (KSMs) to API manufacturers and originator pharmaceutical companies in Japan by building strong technical and commercial relationships and driving sustainable revenue growth.
Key Responsibilities
Sales & Business Development
- Identify and develop business with Japanese API manufacturers and originator/innovator pharmaceutical companies.
- Promote the company’s portfolio of pharmaceutical intermediates, advanced intermediates, and key starting materials (KSMs).
- Achieve annual sales, margin, and customer acquisition targets.
- Drive early-stage engagement for new molecule development and scale-up projects.
Customer Relationship Management
- Build long-term relationships with customers.
- Manage strategic and key accounts from inquiry to commercialization.
Technical & Development Coordination
- Coordinate with internal R&D, manufacturing, and QA teams to respond to technical queries, share route, impurity, and scale-up information, and support custom synthesis and CDMO discussions.
- Support customers during route scouting, process optimization, and tech transfer and validation stages.
Commercial & Contract Management
- Handle pricing, MOQ discussions, long-term supply agreements, and NDAs.
- Coordinate demand forecasts with production and supply chain teams.
- Ensure timely deliveries and monitor payment collections.
Market Intelligence & Strategy
- Track pipeline developments, patent timelines, and outsourcing trends.
- Monitor competitor activity and pricing in the Japanese market.
- Identify opportunities for exclusive supply, long-term partnerships, and co-development.
Job Requirements
Experience
- 10-15 years of experience in pharmaceutical intermediates sales, API sales with strong intermediate knowledge, or custom synthesis/CDMO sales.
- Experience dealing with Japanese API manufacturers or originator companies is highly preferred.
- Exposure to global suppliers (India/China/Europe) is an advantage.
Language Skills
- English: Minimum Communication Level (TOEIC 225-470)
- Japanese: Fluent (JLPT Level 1 or N1)