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- Tasks: Drive revenue by building relationships with independent retailers and executing growth strategies.
- Company: Join an ambitious brand making waves in the retail market.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape your territory's growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, influence market strategies, and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or sales, especially in FMCG, is essential.
- Other info: Full UK driving license required; travel within the territory is a must.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our client is looking for a proactive and commercially astute Business Development Manager to grow their presence across independent retailers and cash & carry outlets. This role is pivotal in driving revenue, expanding product reach, and executing growth strategies in the field.
Responsibilities:
- Identify, build, and nurture relationships with independent retailers and cash & carry accounts, including convenience stores and off-licenses.
- Develop and execute business development plans to increase product distribution, market penetration, and revenue growth.
- Use a consultative sales approach to understand customer needs, activate displays, secure shelf space, and run tailored promotional campaigns.
- Conduct regular in-person visits to accounts, deliver compelling product presentations, tastings, and in-store activations.
- Act as a trusted partner to store owners and decision-makers, delivering excellent customer service and driving long-term loyalty.
- Monitor market activity, gather customer and competitor insights, and provide strategic feedback to internal teams to inform marketing and sales initiatives.
- Maintain up-to-date records of customer interactions, opportunities, and progress using CRM tools.
- Collaborate closely with marketing, logistics, and operations teams to ensure efficient and aligned execution of sales strategies.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in business development or field sales, ideally within the drinks or broader FMCG sector.
- Strong understanding of independent retail and cash & carry channels.
- Outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills with a natural ability to build trust and influence stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success in achieving or exceeding sales targets in a competitive environment.
- Highly self-motivated, organized, and comfortable working independently in the field.
- Competency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office.
- Full UK driving license and flexibility to travel within the designated territory.
This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a key territory, shape growth strategy on the ground, and be part of an ambitious brand in an evolving market.
Business Development Manager - Retail employer: Vertical Advantage
Contact Detail:
Vertical Advantage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Retail
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience with independent retailers and cash & carry outlets. Attend industry events or trade shows to meet potential contacts and learn more about the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the drinks industry and understand what independent retailers are looking for. This knowledge will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully built relationships and driven sales in previous roles. Highlight your consultative sales approach and any innovative strategies you've implemented.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to work independently and manage your time effectively. Be ready to explain how you plan to monitor market activity and gather insights to inform your business development strategies.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Retail
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in business development or field sales, particularly within the drinks or FMCG sector. Emphasise your achievements in driving revenue and expanding market presence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of independent retail and cash & carry channels. Use specific examples to demonstrate your interpersonal and negotiation skills, as well as your ability to build trust with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Sales Success: In your application, include quantifiable results from previous roles, such as sales targets you’ve achieved or exceeded. This will help illustrate your capability to drive growth and execute effective business development plans.
Highlight Your CRM Experience: Mention your competency in CRM systems and how you've used them to maintain customer records and track progress. This is crucial for the role, so make it clear how you can leverage these tools to benefit the company.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertical Advantage
✨Research the Company and Market
Before the interview, take some time to research the company and its position in the retail market. Understand their products, target audience, and competitors. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle real-life situations. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built relationships with retailers or executed a business development plan. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Showcase Your Sales Achievements
Be ready to discuss your previous sales targets and how you achieved or exceeded them. Quantify your successes with specific numbers or percentages to illustrate your impact. This will highlight your capability and align with the company's focus on revenue growth.
✨Demonstrate Your Interpersonal Skills
As a Business Development Manager, strong interpersonal skills are crucial. During the interview, showcase your ability to build trust and influence stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated challenging conversations or negotiations in the past.
