Ardena is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical industry. We assist pharmaceutical companies, from virtual biotech to big pharma, in bringing their valued molecule(s) to the clinic and market. Operating from seven sites in Europe, we provide a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of drug substance and drug product development services.

Ardena’s business development structure is organised in 2 layers:

Account Management Directors responsible for prospecting new Ardena accounts within a defined region and promoting the entire Ardena service platform and Business Development Directors responsible for the acquaintance of new Ardena customers for a specific Ardena service line

To strengthen the Drug Product Development and Manufacturing business development team, supporting business development activities for the Ardena drug product sites in Belgium (Gent) and Spain (Pamplona), we are looking for a

 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Your key role

Ardena’s drug product unit provide customers with a full-service solution from formulation development, analytical method development and validation, demo batch production, stability studies, clinical GMP batch production, QC testing, labelling and randomization, QP release, storage and shipping through to regulatory support for molecules in the early phase of development. In 2022, our current drug product services in oral dosage forms (granules, capsules, tablets, solutions, etc.) will be expanded with aseptic fill and finish capabilities for the development and clinical production of small and large molecule injectable formulations.

As Business Development Director, you play a key role in the growth of Ardena’s drug product business units by leading the way to generate business revenue. The focus of the role is on acquisition of new customers. You are willing to travel on a regularly basis to customers, conferences, and the Ardena sites. Your main markets are Europe and US. The Business Development Director is preferably based in Spain or Belgium. 

 Your key responsibilities

• Develop the drug product customer pipeline by engaging in conversations with emerging and qualified biotech and biopharmaceutical companies
• Discuss and understand their CMC needs and determine how Ardena can support those needs. Determine feasibility (technologies, timelines, permit, ...) of new requests by performing risk analysis and interaction with the operational lines
• Develop and negotiate work proposals
• Build-up strong relationships with decision-makers, identify prospective projects, present Ardena’s capabilities and expertise, and advance the conversation.
• Cross-refer prospects and customers to other Ardena business units
• Engage in proactive sales and marketing activities to promote Ardena’s offerings
• Leverage deep insight into the drug product markets to provide support, guidance, and advice to Ardena’s leaders that optimize market development and growth
  

Your profile looks like/resembles

• You have a Master/PhD with scientific orientation (Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioscience-Engineering, Science or Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Science …) or equivalent by experience.
• You have solid work experience in and a deep understanding of drug product development including knowledge of process to produce different galenic forms and knowledge of analytical methods development
• You have a good knowledge of the drug development life cycle and complex interaction between various functions (preclinical, clinical, CMC, regulatory,...)
• You have a minimum of 3 years of commercial experience (business development or project management in CRO/CDMO) , preferably in the Pharma/Biotech early phase innovator market.
• You have a proven track record of successfully pitching new business
• You are a team player being diplomatic and mindful of cultural differences
• You are a true motivator: you build and sustain cooperative working relationships. You’re able to work effectively with colleagues in a variety of settings; you are integer and you choose thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gains
• You align individual work priorities with the Ardena targets and you visibly demonstrate care for customers
• You are proficient in English and at least one other European language.
• You are willing to travel 

What we offer 

A challenging job in an international environment within the most innovative industry branch: the pharmaceutical industry. Ardena has an open culture. Team-spirit and ownership are important values in our company.

 About us:

Ardena is a leading contract development organization for the pharmaceutical industry. We assist pharmaceutical companies, from virtual biotech to big pharma, in bringing their valued molecule(s) to the clinic and market. We provide a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of drug substance and drug product development, manufacturing, logistics and bioanalytical services.

Ardena is a rapidly growing international orientated organization with a dedicated team of over 500 professionals operating from 7 sites in Belgium (Gent), The Netherlands (Amsterdam, Oss, Assen), Spain (Pamplona), Sweden (Sodertalje), and Latvia (Riga). Ardena has an open and transparent culture: team-spirit, an open mindset and ownership are important values in our company.

We are a dynamic drug developer offering exciting career opportunities to skilled and motivated people who want to work in a fast-growing market within the global pharmaceutical industry. Do you want to work in a challenging contract research and development environment, where experts come together to develop innovative drugs for unmet medical needs? Do you want to further develop Ardena and grow with us by becoming our next colleague? Then we might have the right opportunity for you.

If you like to have more information about the role, please do not hesitate to contact Ariane De Ganck, email: HR@ardena.com, Tel: +32 9 267 65 00.

Only candidates eligible to work in the EU will be considered for the position. Unfortunately, given the high volume of applications we receive for our vacancies, these professionals (not entitled to work in Belgium) will not be given a status update.

Agency calls will not be appreciated.