Business Development Manager

Chr. Olesen Group is a leading international distribution company specializing in vitamins, minerals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients for the feed, food, pharma, and technical industries. With products sourced primarily from Asia, we proudly serve esteemed customers worldwide. As a family-owned business led by the 4th and 5th generations, we combine significant turnover with a close-knit team, making our roles both challenging and rewarding. Discover more about our fascinating history at

About the Role

We are establishing a new business area focused on pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients, and we are looking for a highly experienced and entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to lead the build‑up of this segment from the ground up.

This position holds full responsibility for developing and establishing Chr. Olesen’s presence in the excipient segment. The role combines strategic business development with strong hands‑on commercial execution and a high degree of ownership over long‑term growth and market positioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and establish Chr. Olesen as a recognized partner within the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipient segment
• Build and scale the Excipient business, with responsibility for driving sustainable long‑term growth and commercial performance
• Drive new customer acquisition and market expansion through proactive and hands‑on business development activities
• Identify, source, and introduce new excipient products, creating and expanding a competitive and relevant portfolio
• Define and execute go‑to‑market strategy, including customer segmentation, product positioning, and value proposition
• Act as the commercial face of the Excipient business toward customers, suppliers, and partners
• Collaborate closely with Group HQ functions, Application Experts and global Pharma and Food teams
• Cooperate with senior group stakeholders to ensure alignment with overall group strategy and long‑term objectives

Key Skills for Success

We are looking for a senior, entrepreneurial profile with deep industry expertise. You are likely to succeed if you:

• Have profound product and market knowledge of excipients for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications
• Bring at least 10 years of experience within the excipient segment (trading company or excipient manufacturer)
• Bring at least 10 years of experience within sales to major Nutraceuticals and/or Pharmaceuticals companies (Excipients)
• Have experience with sourcing and supplier relationships (an advantage)
• Are comfortable with frequent international travel (approx. 40–50%)
• Work independently with a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and trustworthiness
• Demonstrate a strong commercial mindset and solid business understanding
• Are highly self‑motivated and ambitious, with a strong drive to grow a business from scratch
• Are a proactive team player with a positive, solution‑oriented mindset
• Demonstrate resilience and long‑term commitment to building a successful business

Why Chr. Olesen Group?

• Global Exposure: Work with a diverse team across multiple countries and gain invaluable international experience.
• Career Growth: We believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward‑thinking company that leverages cutting‑edge technology and innovative solutions.

Are You Our Business Development Manager?

If you are an entrepreneurial professional motivated to build and grow a new business area in an international environment, we look forward to hearing from you.

The base location for the position is negotiable and depends to a reasonable extent on where the right candidate is located.