National Business Development Manager

National Business Development Manager – New Zealand

Essity is a global leader in hygiene and health, committed to shaping a healthier future. Through our Health & Medical business and trusted brands including Actimove®, Cutimed®, Delta-Cast®, JOBST®, Leukoplast® and TENA®, we deliver innovative and sustainable solutions across hospitals, aged care, pharmacy, community care and medical distribution channels. Join us in breaking barriers to well-being.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of growth across New Zealand's healthcare market. Working with major healthcare providers, aged care organizations and distribution partners, you'll play a pivotal role in expanding Essity's market presence, strengthening strategic partnerships and delivering commercial success.

About the Role

As National Business Development Manager, you will lead the identification, development and conversion of key growth opportunities across Essity's Health & Medical portfolio. With a strong focus on strategic business development, customer engagement and channel partnerships, you will build meaningful relationships with end users and distributors to increase market penetration and brand preference.

In addition, you will provide coaching and leadership to a small team of Healthcare Account Managers, helping to build capability, drive performance and ensure a coordinated go-to-market approach across New Zealand.

What You Will Do

• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities with major healthcare end users across New Zealand.

• Build, develop, and maintain strategic relationships with key accounts to support long-term growth.

• Lead the implementation of national customer sites in partnership with healthcare teams.

• Partner closely with distributor business development teams to identify and win end-user opportunities.

• Coach, mentor, and support Healthcare Account Managers to enhance capability and sales effectiveness.

• Develop a deep understanding of customer needs, contract cycles, and supply arrangements to proactively position Essity solutions.

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments to identify growth opportunities and strengthen market position.

• Drive consistent use of CRM systems, sales tools, and established sales processes.

• Collaborate with Sales Leadership, Marketing, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and distributor partners to deliver aligned commercial outcomes.

• Contribute to broader business initiatives and projects that support organizational priorities.

• Champion Essity’s values of Care, Courage, Collaboration, and Commitment.

Who You Are

You are an experienced business development professional who understands how to drive growth through both direct customer engagement and strategic distribution partnerships. You bring strong commercial acumen, a customer-first mindset, and the ability to navigate complex healthcare procurement environments. Ideally, you have experience working within the healthcare, aged care, pharmacy, medical products, or healthcare distribution sectors and understand how large distributor networks operate within New Zealand.

You will bring:

• Extensive experience in Business Development, Sales Management, or a related commercial leadership role within healthcare.

• Demonstrated success achieving and exceeding sales growth targets.

• Experience leading, coaching, and developing sales professionals to achieve outstanding results.

• Strong knowledge of the New Zealand healthcare market, including Residential Aged Care and Te Whatu Ora environments.

• Proven ability to identify customer opportunities and convert insights into successful growth strategies.

• Commercial expertise in contracts, tenders, and business agreements.

• Excellent relationship-building, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• A data-driven approach to forecasting, pipeline management, and decision-making.

• Strong proficiency with CRM platforms, sales reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Commerce, Science, or a related discipline.

• Adaptability, resilience, and the ability to perform effectively in evolving and ambiguous environments.

• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel throughout New Zealand as required.

• Have Citizenship in New Zealand or have permanent residency with full working rights.

What We Can Offer You

Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-Being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment.

At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere.

Innovate for Good | Excel Together | Be You With Us