Briggs of Burton
CLPT Life Sciences – Pharmaceutical Head of Sales
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Location: UK-based | Hybrid
Base: Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Travel: Extensive international travel
Build the global pharmaceutical sales function:
This is an exciting opportunity to join Briggs of Burton at a pivotal point in the growth of its Life Sciences business.
We are looking for an exceptional Pharmaceutical Head of Sales to take ownership of the global sales strategy for our pharmaceutical business — initially operating hands-on to win major opportunities, with the opportunity to build and lead a global pharmaceutical sales team as the business develops.
The engineering, manufacturing and international infrastructure is already in place. Now we need the commercial leadership to take it to the next level.
This is not simply an opportunity to manage an established sales function. You will help build it, shape it and define how Briggs sells its Life Sciences capability globally.
About Briggs of Burton:
Briggs of Burton is a global process engineering business with a heritage dating back to 1732. We design and deliver complex process engineering solutions for customers across food, beverage and life sciences.
Our Global Technical Centre and Centre of Excellence in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, brings together engineering, manufacturing, project delivery and commercial expertise.
Our Life Sciences capability includes the design and manufacture of sophisticated pharmaceutical process systems, including process engineering solutions, stainless steel tanks, pre-assembled skids, mixing and compounding systems, CIP/SIP systems, pressure vessels, automation and control solutions.
Our Burton facility includes a dedicated Pre-assembled Systems Area, providing specialist assembly capability for modular process systems for pharmaceutical and life sciences customers.
The Group already operates internationally across the UK, USA, China and Asia Pacific, providing the platform from which this role will develop a truly global pharmaceutical sales operation.
The opportunity:
As CLPT Life Sciences – Pharmaceutical Head of Sales, you will own the commercial strategy for growing our pharmaceutical business internationally.
You will identify where Briggs can win, develop relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, build the sales pipeline and personally lead major opportunities through to successful close.
Initially, this is a hands-on sales leadership role. You will be expected to get close to customers, develop opportunities, attend industry events, lead commercial discussions and close significant projects.
As the business grows, you will have the opportunity to recruit and build your own global sales team, creating the structure and capability needed to support the next phase of growth.
You will have significant influence over:
- The global pharmaceutical sales strategy
- Target markets, customers and territories
- Sales pipeline and forecasting
- Key account development
- Major EPC and process engineering opportunities
- Pharmaceutical industry positioning and market presence
- Recruitment and development of the future sales team
- The longer-term commercial direction of the Life Sciences business
This is a senior, highly visible role with the opportunity to develop into a significant global commercial leadership position within the Group.
What you'll be doing:
- Own the global pharmaceutical sales strategy
Develop and execute a strategic sales plan for the global pharmaceutical sector, aligned to Briggs' ambitious Life Sciences growth plans. - Win major pharmaceutical projects
Lead complex, high-value sales opportunities from initial engagement through to commercial negotiation and contract close.
You will be selling sophisticated process engineering solutions, EPC projects, stainless steel vessels, tanks and pre-assembled process skids rather than transactional products. - Build the pipeline
Develop a strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturers' investment plans and identify opportunities for Briggs across existing and new markets.
We expect the successful candidate to bring an established network of industry relationships and connections, while also leveraging Briggs' existing customer base and reputation within the sector. - Develop strategic customer relationships
Build trusted relationships with senior technical, engineering, manufacturing, procurement and commercial stakeholders within major pharmaceutical organisations.
You will be a highly visible ambassador for Briggs and a key interface between our business and the global pharmaceutical industry. - Be hands-on
In the early stages, you will personally drive business development, customer meetings, presentations, proposals, negotiations and deal closure.
You will need to be comfortable being both strategist and salesperson. - Build the global team
As the business develops, you will recruit and lead a global pharmaceutical sales team.
You will determine the structure, skills and geographical coverage required to support the growth strategy and create a high-performing commercial function. - Work across the Group
Briggs is already delivering pharmaceutical work across its international operations, including the UK, USA, China and Asia Pacific.
You will work closely with senior Group leaders and colleagues across engineering, manufacturing, project delivery and sales to leverage this existing infrastructure and create a truly integrated global Life Sciences proposition. - Represent Briggs internationally
Attend and lead at major pharmaceutical conferences, exhibitions, customer meetings and industry events across the UK and globally.
International travel will be a significant part of the role.
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What we are looking for:
We are looking for an experienced pharmaceutical sales leader who understands the technical and commercial realities of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
You will ideally bring:
- Significant senior sales/business development experience within pharmaceutical process equipment, process engineering or EPC
- A strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing environments
- Experience selling technically complex process equipment or engineering solutions
- A strong technical or process engineering understanding
- A proven track record of winning significant capital equipment, process engineering or EPC projects
- An established network of pharmaceutical industry contacts
- Experience with a leading pharmaceutical process equipment manufacturer such as GEA, Sartorius or a similar organisation would be highly relevant
- Strong commercial, negotiation and contract-closing experience
- Experience developing and implementing a strategic sales plan
- The credibility to engage with senior technical, operational and commercial stakeholders
- A demonstrable record of delivering sales growth
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We are particularly interested in candidates who have worked on the manufacturing side of the pharmaceutical industry and understand the challenges, processes and investment decisions faced by pharmaceutical manufacturers.
A background rooted in process engineering will be highly valuable.
You will be a commercially ambitious and entrepreneurial leader who combines technical credibility with strong sales leadership.
You'll be:
- A proven sales performer and deal closer
- Confident engaging with senior pharmaceutical customers
- Commercially astute and results driven
- Technically credible within process engineering
- Well connected within the pharmaceutical industry
- Strategic but highly hands-on
- Comfortable building something from the ground up
- A natural relationship builder
- Confident working across an international organisation
- Able to influence internally as well as externally
- Prepared to travel extensively and internationally
- Excited by the opportunity to build and lead a global sales team
Above all, you will have the ambition and capability to build a significant pharmaceutical sales business, rather than simply manage an existing one.
Why this role:
This is a rare opportunity to join a business where the platform for growth is already there.
Briggs has:
- Established engineering capability.
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise.
- An international Group structure.
- Existing pharmaceutical customers.
- A Centre of Excellence in Burton-on-Trent.
- Operations across key global markets.
What we now need is the commercial leader who can bring all of this together.
You will have the freedom and responsibility to shape the strategy, develop the market, win the business and ultimately build the team that will deliver the next phase of growth.
If you are an experienced pharmaceutical sales leader who wants the opportunity to make a genuine impact on a global growth strategy, this could be your next challenge.
Location & Travel:
The role is UK-based, with hybrid and fully remote working considered for the right individual.
Regular engagement with our Burton-on-Trent Centre of Excellence and pharmaceutical team will be important, particularly as the sales team develops and relationships are established across the business.
The role will involve extensive international travel, including customer visits, conferences, exhibitions and Group locations across the USA, Europe, China and Asia Pacific.
The selection process:
We have designed the process to give candidates the opportunity to understand both the role and the wider Briggs Group.
- Initial MS Teams conversation
An initial discussion to explore your experience, motivations and suitability for the opportunity. - Senior leadership interviews
Meet senior Group leaders and understand our Life Sciences growth strategy. - Briggs Centre of Excellence
Visit our Burton-on-Trent operation and meet the engineering, manufacturing and commercial teams supporting our pharmaceutical capability. - Further commercial and leadership discussions
A deeper exploration of your approach to building the global pharmaceutical sales function and delivering our growth ambitions.
Ready to build what's next:
If you have the pharmaceutical industry experience, technical credibility, customer network and commercial ambition to build a global sales function, we want to hear from you.
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