Promega

Produces molecular biology reagents and kits

General Manager

Business & StrategyUpdated on Nov 10

Full-timeLeiden, NetherlandsNo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A Master of Science or PhD in Life Sciences, such as Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or Biotechnology, or a related field, with hands-on laboratory experience.
At least 10 years of business management experience, including at least 5 years with full P&L responsibility and oversight of multiple departments.
Deep, current knowledge of the Benelux life sciences market, including research funding mechanisms, procurement practices, competitive dynamics, and distribution channels.
Demonstrated expertise in Genomics, Proteomics, Cell Analysis, and Molecular Diagnostics markets.
Fluency in Dutch and English, written and spoken.
Knowledge of Dutch and Belgian corporate governance, employment law, and regulatory requirements for life sciences products.
Experience marketing both innovative technologies and mature, established products.
Use AI every day for market intelligence, analysis, and planning, and build the same habit across the team.
Know enough of the science to question an expert rather than defer to one.
Build on an existing team by listening first, learning the business before changing it, giving honest feedback, and asking for feedback.
Make decisions with long-term durability, including when short-term considerations argue otherwise.
Build a branch that emerges stronger from a difficult year, plan for multiple future scenarios, and remain steady when the situation is incomplete.
Read and interpret a P&L, invest for growth, and maintain cost discipline.
Communicate clearly to different audiences, deliver difficult messages with care, and hold a room.
Ability to work with computer-based systems.
Valid driving license.
Willingness to travel within the Benelux region and internationally, including regular trips to Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
On-site presence at the Leiden branch office for the majority of working time.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction to Promega Benelux, with full P&L accountability.
Set direction with the management team, make decisions when the team does not converge, and clearly state the decision and its reasoning.
Establish and extend commercial strategy to achieve revenue growth in alignment with market potential across Genomics, Proteomics, Cell Analysis, and Molecular Diagnostics segments.
Monitor the competitive landscape, market trends, and funding developments to identify strategic opportunities; communicate patterns and inflection points to the CEO.
Manage direct sales channels and distributor relationships to optimize market coverage and revenue growth.
Develop people as a primary responsibility and create an environment where problems are raised early and acknowledged.
Foster a culture aligned with Promega's mission and values, including the company's six ESI core principles.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, customers, strategic partners, and industry associations.
Ensure compliance with Dutch and Belgian legal, regulatory, and employment requirements in the capacity of a Promega Benelux BV director.
Review monthly financial performance, analyze variances, and drive corrective action to meet business objectives.
Integrate branch operations with regional and global Promega leadership while maintaining organizational autonomy and market focus.

Desired Qualifications

Prior experience as a General Manager or Country Manager in a life sciences or pharmaceutical context.
Knowledge of drug development pathways and commercial considerations.
Experience working within a U.S.-based multinational corporation or globally matrixed organization.
Established professional relationships with key opinion leaders and research institutions across the Benelux region.
Proficiency in French for Belgium and Luxembourg operations.

Position Overview

Promega Benelux BV seeks an experienced General Manager to lead the branch through sustained growth and strategic evolution. The incoming General Manager will take on a well-established, high-performing organization operating across the Benelux region. This is an opportunity to build on a stable foundation and shaping what Promega Benelux becomes over the next decade.

Key Responsibilities

● Provide strategic leadership and direction to Promega Benelux, with full P&L accountability.

● Set direction with the management team, make the call where the team does not converge, and name the decision and reasoning behind it rather than letting issues circulate unowned.

● Establish and extend commercial strategy to achieve revenue growth in alignment with market potential across Genomics, Proteomics, Cell Analysis, and Molecular Diagnostics segments.

● Monitor competitive landscape, market trends, and funding developments to identify strategic opportunities; communicate patterns and inflection points to the CEO.

● Manage direct sales channels and distributor relationships to optimize market coverage and revenue growth.

● Develop people as primary work, not a byproduct. Sense when someone is struggling before they raise their hand, build confidence before people have proof of competence, and create an environment where a problem raised early is named and rewarded, not penalized.

● Foster a culture aligned with Promega's mission and values, including the company's six ESI core principles. At Promega, commercial performance serves the mission rather than the reverse.

● Cultivate and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, customers, strategic partners, and industry associations.

● Ensure compliance with Dutch and Belgian legal, regulatory, and employment requirements in the capacity of a Promega Benelux BV director.

● Review monthly financial performance, analyze variances, and drive corrective action to meet business objectives.

● Integrate branch operations with regional and global Promega leadership while maintaining organizational autonomy and market focus.

Required Qualifications

● MSc or PhD in Life Sciences (Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, or related field) with hands-on laboratory experience.

● Minimum 10 years of business management experience, including at least 5 years with full P&L responsibility and oversight of multiple departments.

● Deep, current knowledge of the Benelux life sciences market, including research funding mechanisms, procurement practices, competitive dynamics, and distribution channels.

● Demonstrated expertise in Genomics, Proteomics, Cell Analysis, and Molecular Diagnostics markets.

● Fluent in Dutch and English, written and spoken.

● Knowledge of Dutch and Belgian corporate governance, employment law, and regulatory requirements for life sciences products.

● Experience marketing both innovative technologies and mature, established products.

● Uses AI every day for market intelligence, analysis, and planning, and builds the same habit across the team.

● Knows enough of the science to question an expert rather than defer to one.

● Builds on a team that already works: listens first, learns the business before changing it, gives honest feedback and asks for it back.

● Makes the call that still looks right in ten years, including when the short term argues otherwise.

● Builds a branch that comes out of a hard year stronger than it went in; plans for more than one version of the future and stays steady when the picture is incomplete.

● Reads a P&L and knows what it is telling them; invests for growth without losing cost discipline.

● Communicates clearly to different audiences, delivers hard messages with care, and can hold a room.

Preferred Qualifications

● Prior experience as a General Manager or Country Manager in a life sciences or pharmaceutical context.

● Knowledge of drug development pathways and commercial considerations.

● Experience working within a U.S.-based multinational corporation or globally matrixed organization.

● Established professional relationships with key opinion leaders and research institutions across the Benelux region.

● Proficiency in French preferred for Belgium and Luxembourg operations.

Physical Requirements

● Ability to work with computer-based systems. Valid driving license required.

● Willingness to travel within the Benelux region and internationally, including regular trips to Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

● On-site presence at the Leiden branch office required for the majority of working time.

Compensation

● Fixed competitive compensation. This role carries no variable or bonus component, consistent with the compensation structure for Promega General Manager roles.

● Company pension plan, company car, 30 working days holiday, free sports pass.

About Promega Benelux

Promega Benelux BV is a regional operating division of Promega Corporation, a global leader in life sciences research and diagnostics. The organization serves academic research institutions, pharmaceutical development companies, clinical diagnostics laboratories, and contract research organizations across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The Benelux operation with 15 employees is characterized by a stable, experienced management team; a diverse product portfolio addressing multiple research segments; and a strong market presence in the region.

About Promega Corporation

Promega Corporation is a privately held life sciences company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. As a privately held organization, Promega takes a long-term view and measures success by metrics that extend beyond financial performance to include scientific impact, employee development, and community contribution. The company operates according to six core principles of Emotional and Social Intelligence (ESI) that shape organizational culture and decision-making.

Promega Corporation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.

About the Company

Promega

Produces molecular biology reagents and kits

Promega develops and sells more than 4,000 reagents, kits, and instruments for molecular biology, cell biology, diagnostics, and forensic testing. Its offerings include bioluminescent luciferase assays, CellTiter-Glo viability assays, GoTaq PCR reagents, HaloTag labeling, and Maxwell automated nucleic acid purification systems that support research and clinical workflows. The products are ready-to-use reagents and automated platforms designed to streamline experiments from basic research to diagnostics and forensics. The company differentiates itself with a broad, integrated portfolio, proven tools, automation options, and a global 16-country support network to ensure reliable supply and assistance, aiming to help scientists and clinicians advance discovery and improve health.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Madison, WI
Founded: 1978

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Promega

See more jobs