A Day in the Life of a Director of Business Development

In this Day in the Life of interview, Thomas Hauser, Director of Business Development at Tjoapack. Thomas has spent nearly 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and describes how he still finds curiosity and excitement in the bigger picture of global health. 

Thomas Hauser, Director of Business Development, brings a wealth of experience to the Tjoapack team, with a strong foundation in both market development and leadership. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in European Business Management and an MBA International from the University of Ottawa, Canada. 
 
At Tjoapack, Thomas is focused on further developing international markets, generate and close new business opportunities and discover new possible services on how to support customers. With his experience, he is representing Tjoapack at industry and other events and help customers and partners to successfully deliver life saving medicines to the patients.

Before joining Tjoapack, Thomas has assembled almost 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical primary packaging sector including experiences in films and foils and injectables. He contributed to the development and delivery of efficient construction of clean rooms and the rebuild of entire facilities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and globally. 

Please could you outline your background and the career path that has led you to your current position? 

I studied European business management and earned an MBA from the University of Ottawa, Canada. I began my career in the pharmaceutical packaging industry nearly 30 years ago and have held various roles in sales and business development at companies around the world.

What would be the perfect start to your day? 

Get up, take a walk outside, ideally in the mountains or near the sea, and enjoy the sunrise before starting work. And be sure to have a Coke.

What do you most like about your role? 

I can be part of a larger mission, to contribute to a supply chain that delivers lifesaving or life-improving medications to people around the world. I enjoy working with purpose-driven individuals and teams, collaborating with scientists, engineers, quality assurance professionals, logistics experts and more, all focused on patient wellbeing. I also value the opportunity to continually discover and pursue new opportunities across the globe.

What inspired you to get into your field in the first place?

I began my career in pharmaceutical packaging almost 30 years ago, somewhat by accident, after returning from North America, and I’ve remained in the industry ever since. What initially motivated me was its global reach and constant innovation.

What are the biggest challenges you face? What issues affect your role? 

I want to create meaningful and strategic value for the company through a deep understanding of the market and our key stakeholders. This means staying informed and ahead of trends, identifying opportunities, and building strong, trust-based relationships both internally and externally. Converting that insight into consistent business, while staying true to the company’s values, as well as my own long-term vision, is often a real challenge. Ultimately, I see myself as a representative of the company’s image and philosophy.

What would you consider your biggest achievement to date, what are you most proud of? 

In my view, my greatest achievement has been building strong, trust-based relationships across borders, driving growth in a meaningful industry, helping establish new facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting the launch of new therapies. I'm also proud of my family, who supported my work, travel and life abroad. They’ve been my inspiration over the years and have kept me grounded.

What advice would you give to other people aspiring to your position or getting into this field? 

Stay curious, learn something new every day, and connect with fascinating people who have groundbreaking ideas. Be ready to reinvent yourself often and enjoy the journey of helping make medications and new therapies accessible to people around the world.

Do you have any further career aspirations? What do you think your next steps will be? 

In this later stage of my career, my goal is to focus on initiatives that align with my values and philosophy. I believe being part of Tjoapack and helping expand its presence in the market is where I can make a real impact. I also enjoy mentoring younger professionals in the industry and staying up to date with innovations and new developments in our sector. Most importantly, I want to keep having fun with the work I do and the team I do it with.

What do you see as the next big opportunity in your sector?

The next major opportunity is supporting the growth of biologics, particularly personalised medicine, antibody-drug conjugates, cell and gene therapy, and fusion proteins. The integration of artificial intelligence in molecule and packaging design, along with new material developments for more sustainable manufacturing processes, is also an area to watch.

If you weren’t in this field, what would you being doing? 

I’d likely manage a ski lodge in the mountains during the winter and take on select consulting projects to help start-ups and young companies bring their innovations to market. In the summer, I’d spend time in Iceland.

When you were younger, want did you want to be when you grew up? 

A pilot or a professional ski racer.