As an External Account Manager – Pharma at Brenntag, you will be responsible for managing and growing a defined portfolio of pharmaceutical and life-science customers. Acting as the primary commercial interface, you will drive sustainable growth through deep customer relationships, portfolio expansion, and the identification of new business opportunities, while operating within a highly regulated environment.
Responsibilities- Manage a portfolio of category A & B pharmaceutical and life-science customers
- Maintain and grow existing business through structured account management and solution selling
- Expand product range penetration across excipients, APIs, and life-science ingredients where applicable
- Identify, develop, and secure new Pharma business opportunities
- Achieve and exceed gross profit (GP) and margin targets
- Drive margin optimisation and long-term profitability
- Conduct detailed customer profiling, ensuring accurate and compliant customer records
- Perform frequent, structured customer visits and engagements in line with portfolio requirements
- Maintain up-to-date product, application, and regulatory knowledge by attending training and supplier sessions
- Submit weekly call reports, forecasts, and accurate sales administration
- Provide reliable forecasting inputs and weekly updates to Product Managers
- Ensure conditions of sale, pricing, and contracts are current and correctly applied
- Prepare thoroughly for customer visits and submit weekly schedules on time
- Support the sale of short-dated or at-risk stock where applicable
- Maintain strong internal collaboration with Product Management, Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory teams
- Adhere at all times to Brenntag Rules of Procedure (ROP), SOPs, Quality standards, and company policies
You are a commercially astute, technically credible sales professional with experience in pharmaceutical or regulated chemical markets. You build trust with customers, understand the importance of quality and compliance, and are comfortable managing complex accounts, negotiations, and long-term partnerships in a performance-driven environment
Skills
- Strong consultative sales and negotiation skills
- Ability to build and sustain long-term strategic customer relationships
- Proven capability to identify, pursue, and close new Pharma business opportunities
- Strong planning, organisation, and time-management skills
- Confident communication and presentation abilities
- Proficiency in MS Office and CRM systems
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams
- 5–8 years’ experience in external sales or account management within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or regulated chemical environment
- Proven track record in managing complex key accounts and delivering on sales and margin targets
- Exposure to pharmaceutical raw materials, excipients, APIs, or life-science ingredients
- Understanding of quality, compliance, and regulatory frameworks (e.g. GMP, GDP exposure advantageous)
- Demonstrated experience in customer profiling, forecasting, and reporting
- Experience driving margin improvement and profitability
- Experience using CRM systems and MS Office
- SAP knowledge advantageous
- Valid driver’s licence and own reliable vehicle
- Matric (Grade 12)
- Relevant tertiary qualification in a science or commercial field, e.g. Pharmacy, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, BSc, or BCom (Marketing/Business Management)
- Additional pharmaceutical, life-science, or industry-related training will be an advantage
- Competitive and fair salary
Retirement savings plan
Professional development opportunities
Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.
Skills Required
- 5-8 years' experience in external sales or account management within pharmaceutical, life sciences, or regulated chemical environments
- Proven track record managing complex key accounts and meeting sales and margin targets
- Exposure to pharmaceutical raw materials, excipients, APIs, or life-science ingredients
- Understanding of quality, compliance, and regulatory frameworks
- GMP or GDP exposure
- Demonstrated experience in customer profiling, forecasting, and reporting
- Experience driving margin improvement and profitability
- Experience using CRM systems and MS Office
- SAP knowledge
- Valid driver's licence and own reliable vehicle
- Relevant tertiary qualification in a science or commercial field (e.g., Pharmacy, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, BSc, BCom)
- Additional pharmaceutical, life-science, or industry-related training
- Strong consultative sales and negotiation skills
- Ability to build and sustain long-term strategic customer relationships
- Confident communication and presentation skills; strong planning, organisation, and time-management
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams
What We Do
We are the global market leader in full-line range of chemical & ingredient products and value-added services. Our more than 17,500 employees provide tailor-made application, marketing and supply chain solutions. Our full-line portfolio comprises specialty and industrial chemicals and ingredients of a world-class supplier base. Building on our long-standing experience, unmatched global reach and local excellence, we work closely alongside our partners to make their business more successful. We operate a unique global network with about 600 locations in 72 countries.
