Business Development Manager Hybrid - Field based with visits to office when required Retail - [...] in Wales

Hybrid - Field based with visits to office when required. Full time (40hrs) Field based (West Midlands, Shropshire, North Wales Territory). Competitive Salary plus bonus. Excellent benefits package.

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Convenience Retailing Business Development Manager to join our SPAR Blakemore Trade Partners Team. Your role is to support and develop the existing SPAR convenience store customer base in your allocated area whilst controlling the implementation of Trade Partner initiatives and ensuring that multi-site retailers maintain the standard required by A.F. Blakemore and SPAR.

We take the word “Partner” seriously. As such we are seeking a determined, articulate self-starter with a real passion for customer service, to collaborate, support and listen as we continue to add value to our SPAR customer’s businesses as well as our own, by driving retail sales. As part of the broader A.F. Blakemore & Son SPAR business, you will be empowered and supported in a family business that encourages accountability and personal development, thriving in a culture with defined DNA and Values built upon positive relationships both internally, with its partners and our local communities.

Key Tasks / Responsibilities

• Development of appropriate retail business plans, operational targets, and budgets, in conjunction with the retailer.
• Monitoring retailers’ level of adherence / loyalty towards recognised SPAR operating standards and facilitating improvement as required.
• Monitoring retailer performance and facilitating improvement as required, in conjunction with the wider retail team.
• The control of bad debt management within the business and liaising closely with head office with regard to issues identified.
• Providing retailers with information and support regarding the implementation of new SPAR developments / initiatives.
• Providing retailers with advice / sources of information reference general business issues and legislation (e.g. health and food safety, training, employment law, etc.).
• Developing good working relationships with individual retailers and their teams, without compromising the needs and expectations of the AFB Group.
• Identification of issues that may affect the retailer’s ability to trade or pay AFB Group bills, and the reporting of these to head office.
• Successful integration of new retailers as they are handed over from Recruitment.
• Supporting the Regional Sales Managers by representing the Sales Department within project groups.

Key Requirements

• Ideally possess Managerial experience in Convenience Store/Supermarket.
• Account management experienced with B2B accounts, ideally in convenience/food.
• UK Driving Licence.
• High level of numeracy and literacy.
• A good knowledge of Retail Operations.
• A passion for Retail.
• Extremely self-motivated and driven.
• Experienced in Account/Field Management.
• Business Degree or equivalent.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive Salary plus Bonus Opportunity.
• A dynamic role in an expanding team.
• Fast paced exciting opportunity working with some of the UK's leading brands including SPAR.
• Proactive promotion of internal candidates.

Market Leading Benefits

• 24/7 access to your payslips via HR/Payroll portal.
• Staff Discount in our SPAR stores.
• Access to our colleague benefits scheme which offers a wide range of high street retail, holiday & leisure discounts.
• Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Long Service Awards.

About Us

At A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, we’re proud of our heritage, but even more excited about our future. What started in Wolverhampton in 1917 as a small, family-run grocery store has grown into one of the UK’s largest privately owned businesses, employing over 5,000 people and generating a turnover of £1.2 billion. We combine the strength of a global brand, while maintaining the values of a family business. We’re constantly evolving, always looking for new and better ways to serve our customers and support our colleagues, making this an exciting place to build your career. Today, we operate at the heart of communities across the UK, with 243 SPAR convenience stores and a thriving business spanning retail, food service, and wholesale distribution. Food and drink remain at the core of everything we do, driving our passion for quality, innovation, and exceptional customer experiences. SPAR is the world’s largest international food retail chain, encompassing more than 13,800 stores in 48 countries. With more than 2,600 stores and a turnover in excess of £3 billion, SPAR is also the UK’s leading convenience store group. Being a ‘symbol’ group means that individual SPAR members retain their independence but enjoy the many benefits of being a part of a global brand.

Inclusive Environment

As a Disability Confident Committed employer we are dedicated to creating a fair, inclusive workplace for all. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role.