Business Developer, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

At Aquatech, we tackle the challenges of water scarcity and complexity by leveraging technology, expertise, and financing to deliver comprehensive solutions that reduce carbon and recycled water footprint. As a leading global provider of water and process technology solutions, we help the world's most recognized companies achieve their sustainability and operational goals by implementing innovative approaches for water reuse, desalination, minimal and zero liquid discharge, and critical minerals recovery. Our work catalyzes the transition toward a more sustainable future and showcases our commitment to addressing water's role in climate adaptation. Learn more at www.aquatech.com.

Aquatech is immediately hiring a full-time Business Developer – Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, based anywhere in the U.S. This is a front-line, hunter sales role focused on the surge of new and expanded pharmaceutical facilities being built across the U.S. over the next five years—biologics, sterile injectables, cell & gene therapy, vaccines, oral solids, and CDMOs. You will own the full sales cycle for engineered water and wastewater solutions serving these facilities: from mapping greenfield and brownfield projects to building executive relationships, shaping solution strategy, and closing large capital contracts.

You will own the full sales cycle—from mapping target accounts and building executive relationships to structuring winning proposals and closing large engineered-system contracts.

This position work hand-in-hand with engineering, proposals, and execution teams, but this is the primary mission -Build a high-quality pipeline and close profitable deals.

Job Description:

• Drive growth in U.S. pharma
  • Develop and execute a focused sales strategy targeting new pharma and life sciences facilities planned or under development in the U.S. over the next 3–5 years.
  • Expand Aquatech’s footprint in PW/WFI, clean utilities, wastewater, and ZLD solutions for cGMP environments.
  • Consistently achieve or exceed annual sales and margin targets.
• Own the full sales cycle
  • Identify and prioritize high-value opportunities: new facilities, major expansions, and strategic upgrades at existing plants.
  • Build relationships across the buying center—project engineering, operations, quality, procurement, and executive sponsors.
  • Lead opportunities from first conversation through proposal, negotiation, and contract close.
• Win complex, competitive deals
  • Shape opportunity strategy: qualification, win themes, commercial and technical positioning, and pricing.
  • Work with internal process, design, and proposals teams to develop technically compliant, commercially compelling solutions and submittals under cGMP/FDA expectations.
  • Deliver persuasive presentations and solution reviews to engineering, operations, quality, EHS, and executive stakeholders.
• Grow key accounts and partnerships
  • Develop strategic accounts among leading pharma manufacturers and CDMOs—aiming for multi-site, multi-project relationships.
  • Identify and drive follow-on business: capacity expansions, upgrades, digital enablement, and long-term service agreements.
  • Build and manage partnerships with EPC firms, owner’s reps, OEMs, and other channels active in pharma facility build-outs.
• Stay ahead of the project pipeline
  • Track U.S. pharma capital investment: greenfield plants, capacity expansions, reshoring/nearshoring initiatives, and government-backed projects.
  • Monitor regulatory and market drivers impacting water systems—sterility, quality, environmental discharge, and sustainability.
  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date pipeline, forecast, and opportunity data in the CRM, with clear visibility on timelines and probability to close.

Preferred Skills:

• Minimum 4 years of sales experience in water for the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry, preferably selling capital equipment or engineered systems into manufacturing facilities.
• Proven track record of:
  • Developing strategic accounts and navigating complex technical stakeholders.
  • Managing long sales cycles with multiple decision-makers and approval gates.
  • Closing large, multi-million-dollar projects; experience with $50M program environments is a strong plus (whether as a single project or portfolio).

Skills & Mindset

• True hunter mentality—you enjoy early engagement with project owners, EPCs, and CDMOs and are comfortable creating opportunities, not just responding to RFPs.
• Ability to translate water and process technology into clear business outcomes: compliance, risk reduction, time-to-market, OPEX, sustainability, and resilience.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills; comfortable presenting to VP / C-level as well as technical and quality teams.
• Highly organized and data-driven, with the discipline to manage multiple opportunities and keep CRM, funnel, and forecasts current.
• Strong independent work ethic with a bias toward action, accountability, and results.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms and Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits:

Aquatech offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, company-paid holidays, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).
Essential Functions:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Job Demands:

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, limited walking and standing.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel 35%  in the U.S. to customer sites, EPC offices, and Aquatech locations.
• Minimum 4 years of sales experience in water for the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry, preferably selling capital equipment or engineered systems into manufacturing facilities.