Craig's Career Story

A journey from Field Service Engineer to Business Development Manager: 

 

“I joined Fresenius Kabi in January 2017, new to the medical device sector. I worked on almost all of our medical device portfolio, from cell salvage and plasma apheresis to infusion pumps and incubators, carrying out maintenance and repairs across the most of the UK. I also became a qualified trainer delivering our technical training packages to NHS engineering departments at the same time. In 2025 an opportunity came up for a Business Development Manager in London so I transitioned into a new department and I've been in this role for almost a year now.”
Craig Painter Image

Q&A Catch Up with Craig:

What originally brought you to Fresenius Kabi, and what has kept you here over the years? Originally, when I left my old job I was just looking for a new field in engineering. I never really thought about the medical industry until the field based engineering role for Fresenius-Kabi came up where I was living, which seemed a good fit for me. What kept me here over the years has been a combination of learning about exciting new equipment and the people at Fresenius-Kabi. The team I have worked with over the last 9 years have been great and they're the reason I am so passionate about what we do here at Fresenius Kabi.

What inspired your transition from Field Service Engineer to Business Development Manager? A combination of things really, I have always expressed my interest in progressing my career. After years of working with and teaching others about the engineering of our products, when the opportunity came up to step into a Business Development role, it felt like a natural evolution. It was a great opportunity to apply my knowledge in a different way, to try and support our customers in understanding their challenges. It also meant I could work in London which might not be for everyone but I enjoy it.

What’s the biggest skill you’ve carried over from your engineering background? I'd probably say the ability to break down technical information into simple language, It’s been a huge help in building relationships with customers. I think having a strong baseline understanding of the products you represent and how they work, helps develop trust when building those relationships.

What’s been the standout moment from your first few months in the sales team? I would say seeing the first device implementation process from start to finish, as it wasn't something I was heavily involved in as an engineer. From the initial introductions and discussions through to finding a fix for the customers’ problems and seeing it make a difference in their place of work. I found that really rewarding and kind of cemented my understanding of the need for making sure the right equipment gets to the right places.  Also being able to guide not just from a commercial standpoint, but from a technical and operational perspective as well, has been really rewarding. It’s reinforced that this transition was the right step and that I can add value and a different dynamic to the team and our customers.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received—and how has it shaped your journey? Keep learning and say yes to things. You miss 100% of chances you don't take, this has been particularly inspiring in my transition from engineering to business development.

 

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GB-NP-2600011 February 2026