Head of Trading pharmaceutical manufacturing

Salary: £140k + Bonus

Company Description REM Associates Ltd is a specialist executive search and e-fulfilment growth partner with over 50 years of combined experience supporting blue-chip companies, global brands, and leading 3PL providers across the UK and internationally. The firm is recognized for its expertise in Logistics and Supply Chain leadership, placing senior professionals who drive operational excellence and commercial growth. Beyond recruitment, REM Associates helps organizations maximize capacity, improve warehouse utilization, and secure new contracts through tailored e-fulfilment strategies. By understanding both the operational leadership and commercial strategy sides of the supply chain, the company delivers practical, growth-focused solutions. Applicants join a team dedicated to building and scaling logistics businesses through precise talent acquisition and strategic
support.
Role Description The Head of Trading (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing) is a full-time, on-site role based in Birmingham, responsible for leading all commercial trading activities within the pharmaceutical manufacturing division. This role oversees product portfolio performance, pricing strategy, and margin management while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and quality standards. Daily responsibilities include monitoring sales and trading performance, managing supplier and customer relationships, negotiating commercial terms, and coordinating with production, quality, and logistics teams to align supply with market demand. The Head of Trading will analyze market trends, develop growth strategies, and identify new business opportunities in pharmaceutical products and related services. The role also involves leading a trading team, setting clear performance targets, and reporting regularly to senior leadership on commercial outcomes, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in trading, commercial management, or business development within pharmaceutical manufacturing or closely related sectors.
• Strong skills in pricing, margin management, and commercial analysis, with the ability to interpret market data and trading performance metrics.
• Experience managing key customer and supplier relationships, including negotiation of contracts, terms, and service levels.
• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory and quality requirements, and how they impact trading, distribution, and supply chain decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with production, quality, logistics, and finance teams to align commercial strategy with operational capability.
• Track record of leading high-performing teams, setting objectives, coaching colleagues, and driving accountability for results.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or a related field; an advanced degree or professional qualification in a relevant discipline is an advantage.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, target-driven environment, with strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical capabilities.
• Previous exposure to logistics, 3PL, or e-fulfil