Strategic Partner, Major Accounts

About the Role

Join Avantor as a Global Account Director and lead strategic growth across our most valued global partnerships in the life sciences, biotech, and advanced manufacturing sectors. This high-impact role is ideal for a seasoned commercial leader with experience in global account management, cross-functional collaboration, and customer-centric strategy. You’ll serve as the executive point of contact for key accounts, driving alignment across geographies and functions to deliver exceptional value, margin growth, and customer satisfaction. Candidates should be based in or near the Bay Area to support collaboration with key stakeholders and global accounts.

Responsibilities

• Lead global account strategy, ensuring alignment across sales, supply chain, pricing, and contract teams.
• Drive growth in a matrix-selling environment through collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Serve as the executive liaison for global accounts, managing communications, performance metrics, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and execute pricing and margin strategies in partnership with finance and procurement.
• Negotiate favorable terms with manufacturers and channel partners.
• Deliver impactful presentations and lead contract proposals for new and existing opportunities.
• Advocate for customer needs internally, ensuring timely resolution and long-term alignment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree or industry certifications (e.g., APICS, Six Sigma, MBA) preferred.
• 7+ years of sales leadership in a global, matrixed environment.
• Proven success managing executive-level customer relationships and leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence across legal, finance, operations, and technical functions.
• Expertise in pricing strategy, contract negotiation, and vendor management.
• Skilled in leading presentations, proposal development, change management, and driving strategic initiatives.
• Global market awareness and cultural fluency in customer engagement.
• Up to 50% travel required to maintain global account performance and customer engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in life sciences, pharma, biotech, or specialty chemicals.
• Experience with multi-supplier/channel distribution or scientific supplier networks.
• Exposure to CDMO, CRO, capital equipment, or regulated environments.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Dynamics), forecasting tools (e.g., Power BI), and global compliance standards (e.g., GMP, ISO).

Working Conditions

Typically works in an office environment with adequate lighting and ventilation and a normal range of temperature and noise level. Work assignments are diversified, with frequent volume and deadlines imposing strain. Some overnight travel may be required. Minimal physical effort is required; work is mostly sedentary but does require walking, standing, bending, reaching, lifting, or carrying objects that typically weigh less than 10 lbs.

Why Avantor?

Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better, from bringing new patient treatments and therapies to market to enabling medical devices that help children hear for the first time. At Avantor, you’ll contribute your talents, learn new skills, and grow your career in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.

Pay

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $123,500.00 - $209,760.00 base salary. This position is also subject to incentive compensation, with an expected pre-tax Target Cash Opportunity (TCO) range of $154,400.00 - $262,200.00, based on achieved sales. TCO is defined as Base Salary + Target Sales Incentive.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Wellness programs, health savings, and flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) plan with company match and employee stock purchase program.
• 11 paid holidays and 18 PTO days annually.
• Volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave).