Business Development Manager - Cell Culture Services

Business Development Manager – Americas

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Every day, our team contributes to our mission: to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We empower our people with the tools and support they need to innovate and deliver solutions to some of the world's toughest scientific challenges—from developing life-saving biologics to advancing cell therapy technologies.

Discover Impactful Work

The Business Development Manager – Americas is a high-visibility, customer-focused role responsible for driving growth of Thermo Fisher Scientific's cell culture media, bioproduction, and media development services (custom solutions) through strategic customer engagement and partnership development. This is not a traditional quota-carrying sales role, but a strategic business development position focused on building long-term partnerships, identifying emerging technologies, and shaping growth opportunities across the Americas.

This role sits at the intersection of science, strategy, and partnerships—spanning protein, gene therapy, and microbial platforms—and involves engaging directly with leading innovators and CDMOs. It combines opportunity identification and deal execution with technology scouting and ecosystem engagement to build long-term partnerships and advance new growth opportunities.

The position offers significant autonomy to shape partnerships, influence market strategy, and represent Thermo Fisher across a dynamic and rapidly evolving customer landscape.

A Day in the Life

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to customers, partnering closely with Account Managers, Technical Sales Specialists, and cross-functional teams to expand Thermo Fisher's media and services footprint across the Americas.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with biotech, biopharma, CRO, and CDMO organizations, identifying opportunities for collaboration in custom media development, process development, and bioproduction services.
• Identify, shape, and advance high-value opportunities—from early-stage engagement through deal execution—contributing to account and territory growth strategies.
• Drive and advance a portfolio of strategic opportunities, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and long-term value creation.
• Lead joint development initiatives and evaluate in-licensing opportunities, collaborating with R&D and Product Management to deliver tailored solutions.
• Generate and translate customer insights and market intelligence into actionable strategies that inform innovation and commercial direction.
• Act as the commercial lead for media development services, aligning technical opportunities with business objectives and ensuring a seamless path from concept to delivery.
• Navigate and coordinate internal stakeholders (sales, operations, contracts, project teams) to enable effective execution and customer success.
• Lead contract development and negotiations, including proposals, SOWs, and MSAs, balancing scientific, operational, and business considerations.

Keys to success

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences (e.g., Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Immunology) or a related field required, or equivalent experience. Advanced degree (MSc, MBA, or similar) preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, technical sales, or field applications within the biotech, biopharma, or life sciences industries.
• Experience supporting bioproduction workflows (e.g., cell culture media, upstream processing, or related services) within biotech, biopharma, or CDMO environments; experience with custom media or process development services strongly preferred.
• Background in media, bioprocessing, or bioproduction services organizations (e.g., CDMOs or platform technology providers) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of cell culture, process development, and media optimization, with the ability to engage in technical and strategic discussions.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development, negotiations, and managing complex opportunities from identification through execution.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of bioproduction workflows, including cell culture media, upstream/downstream processing, and related analytical techniques.
• Strong business acumen paired with scientific fluency, enabling both strategic and technical engagement.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel ~30–50% across the Americas as a key external representative, building high-value relationships with leading biotech, biopharma, and CDMO partners and advancing strategic collaborations.

Benefits

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $103,100.00–$150,000.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
• Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount