Retail Business Development Manager in City of London

Do you have a good knowledge of Retail Operations? Do you have experience of working in a similar role with another Symbol Group retailer or Multiple retailer convenience chain? Have you experience of managing stores or independent retailer relationships in the Convenience Store market? Do you have commercial awareness and experience of the Retail Food Industry? Do you have experience of working as a manager at a multi-site convenience store group?

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Convenience Retailing Retail 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.

Some Key Requirements

Essential

• 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.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• A passion for Retail.
• Extremely self-motivated and driven.
• Experienced in Account / Field Management.

Desirable

• Business Degree or equivalent.
• Retail Management experience.

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.
• Generous staff discount.
• Proactive promotion of internal candidates.
• Market leading benefits scheme including: 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 NEST pension scheme.
• Extra Holidays - Purchase Scheme.
• Long Service Awards.

About us:

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is one of the largest privately owned companies in the UK. Our forward-thinking family-owned business began life in 1917 as a counter-service grocery store and has grown from these humble beginnings into a company that now owns 250 SPAR convenience stores and employs almost 6,000 people, with a turnover of £1.2 billion. As one of the largest convenience retailers in the UK, we are always looking for innovative ways to create a point of difference. Food and drink have always been our lifeblood, and today our business has multiple divisions specialising in SPAR retail, food service and wholesale distribution. SPAR is the world’s largest international food retail chain, encompassing more than 12,000 stores in 40 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.