Business Development Manager in Bishop's Castle

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 customers' 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.).
• 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

• Ideally possess managerial experience in Convenience Store/Supermarket.
• Account management experience 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 Company Pension Scheme.
• Extra Holidays - Purchase 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.

You may have experience of the following: Retail Account Manager, Territory Sales Manager, Field Sales Manager, Convenience Retail Development Manager, Regional Retail Advisor, Trade Partner Manager, Area Business Manager, Field Account Executive, Retail Operations Manager, Territory Growth Manager, Wholesale Account Manager, or Store Support Manager.