Technical Business Development Manager

Overview

Element is the UK's premier supplier of chromatography products, training, and technical services - trusted by pharma, biopharma, and research organisations nationwide. With an unrivalled portfolio, industry‑leading technical expertise, and a reputation for customer success, we're expanding fast.

We're now searching for a Business Development specialist to spearhead our growth in Biopharma and Pharma Applications. This is more than a sales role - it's a chance to shape a market, influence innovation, and make your mark in one of the fastest‑growing areas of life sciences.

This role is responsible for driving growth across Element's chromatography consumables, products, and services portfolio within the UK and Ireland, with a special focus on Biopharma and Pharma Applications. The role will combine technical expertise with commercial acumen to expand Element's presence in this subsector, deepen customer relationships, and secure new business while supporting the wider chromatography portfolio.

• Represent Element's purpose, mission, and values while upholding the highest standards of HSE and compliance.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key decision makers and influencers within accounts, positioning Element as a technically differentiated partner.
• Lead business development activities within Biopharma and Pharma Applications, directly responsible for growing Element's share of this high‑value subsector.
• Identify, qualify, and convert new business opportunities, including dormant accounts and new departments within existing customers.
• Support regional account managers with technical sales activities, customer visits, and presentations to achieve defined revenue and growth targets.
• Deliver customer technical seminars to showcase technical expertise and increase product adoption.
• Provide technical input to support New Product Introductions (NPI), including the development of sales and marketing collateral, training materials, and technical articles.
• Collaborate with product suppliers to maintain up‑to‑date technical knowledge, resources, and literature that strengthen sales and after‑sales support.
• Represent Element at exhibitions, conferences, and professional forums, promoting products and services to expand industry visibility.
• Conduct market and industry analysis to identify trends, competitor activity, and customer needs, feeding insights into sales strategy and planning.
• Actively manage CRM records, pipeline reviews, and reporting to ensure accurate forecasting and visibility of key opportunities.

• Degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, or related discipline; laboratory experience in chromatography is essential.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of chromatography; experience in Biopharma and Pharma Applications highly advantageous.
• Applications development experience would be a plus.
• Commercial drive with proven sales aptitude (direct sales experience beneficial but not essential).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at multiple levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems (Dynamics AX/CRM experience desirable).
• Ability to balance technical credibility with commercial objectives, operating with resilience under pressure.
• Willingness to travel extensively (40‑60% of working time, including overnight stays).

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you…