Trade Development Manager

Trade Development Manager

Full-Time 42000 - 42000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Apple Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead trade engagement strategy and strengthen relationships in the gas supply chain.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation committed to safety and customer service.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, enhanced pension, generous leave, and health support.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on low-carbon heating solutions and customer satisfaction.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in business development or trade engagement; strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Trade Development Manager to lead and evolve a trade engagement strategy within a regulated gas network environment. This senior role will play a key part in strengthening relationships across the independent gas supply chain, supporting customer growth, service excellence, and the transition to low‑carbon heating solutions for domestic and business consumers. You will act as the primary point of contact between the organisation and the gas industry supply chain, delivering a structured programme of trade engagement, communications, and events that align trade activity with wider business development and decarbonisation objectives.

As Trade Development Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a trade development strategy that creates clear alignment between organisational objectives and the activities being pursued across the independent supply chain. A key aspect of the role is hosting and facilitating industry and trade association events, delivering high‑quality engagement activity, and supporting trade partners to deliver excellent outcomes for customers.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement an annual Trade Development Strategy aligned with Business Development objectives
  • Plan and deliver a proactive and reactive programme of engagement with registered installers, manufacturers, retailers, merchants, and training centres
  • Lead trade engagement activity including trade breakfast events, social engagements, merchant events, and formal association meetings
  • Act as host and facilitator for industry and trade association events
  • Act as the primary point of contact for the independent gas installer network
  • Maintain the central trade directory and manage the annual re‑registration process for Gas Safe registered installers
  • Respond to day‑to‑day queries from supply chain partners to support sales growth and high levels of customer satisfaction
  • Identify opportunities to support trade partners through marketing initiatives, promotions, and collaborative activities
  • Work closely with the Marketing team to support the production of an annual localised installer directory
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of a high‑quality annual programme of trade communications and engagement activity
  • Support consistent and aligned messaging between the organisation and the independent supply chain
  • Work with the Domestic Sales team to support retailer knowledge sharing and point‑of‑sale branding initiatives
  • Support decarbonisation objectives by identifying and promoting training and upskilling opportunities for local installation companies
  • Encourage a multi‑measure approach to retrofit, including energy‑efficiency upgrades and emerging low‑carbon heating technologies
  • Coordinate domestic incentive schemes, enabling registered installers to offer connection and finance‑related customer offers
General Responsibilities
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, contractors, and partner organisations
  • Observe and promote health and safety, equality, and customer care standards
  • Participate in learning and development activities to enhance effectiveness in the role
  • Undertake additional duties as required in line with the level of responsibility of the post
Person SpecificationEssential
  • Full, valid UK driving licence
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a business development, trade engagement, or similar commercial role
  • Experience managing teams, including performance management, training, and presenting to larger groups
  • Flexibility to work outside core hours to support trade events and engagement activity
  • Positive, enthusiastic, self‑motivated, and industrious approach
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and persuasive skills
  • Strong organisational and administrative skills
  • Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
  • Legal right to work in the UK on a permanent basis (visa sponsorship is not available)
Desirable
  • Experience working within an energy, utilities, or trade‑specific environment
  • Experience handling customer or trade complaint resolution
Benefits
  • Enhanced contributory pension scheme
  • Free life assurance
  • “Give As You Earn” charity scheme
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
  • Enhanced sick pay (for qualifying staff)
  • 20 days annual leave plus 11 bank holidays, with up to 5 additional long‑service days
  • Free onsite parking
  • Dedicated health and wellbeing support
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Annual salary reviews

The organisation is widely recognised for its commitment to safety, customer service, and operational excellence, and offers a supportive, inclusive, and forward‑thinking working environment where employees are encouraged to grow, contribute ideas, and support the transition to a low‑carbon future.

If this sounds like the right next step for you, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or contact Apple Recruitment for a confidential discussion.

Trade Development Manager employer: Apple Recruitment

As a Trade Development Manager in our organisation, you will thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises safety, customer service, and operational excellence. We offer a range of benefits including an enhanced pension scheme, generous leave policies, and dedicated health and wellbeing support, all designed to foster your professional growth and work-life balance while contributing to the transition to a low-carbon future.
Apple Recruitment

Contact Detail:

Apple Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Trade Development Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, trade shows, and local meet-ups to connect with potential employers and industry peers. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Trade Development Manager role.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your previous successes in trade engagement and business development. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your value to potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind for hiring managers. Mention something specific from your conversation to show your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and connect with the right opportunities. Don’t miss out on the chance to land your dream job with us!

We think you need these skills to ace Trade Development Manager

Trade Development Strategy
Stakeholder Management
Event Hosting and Facilitation
Customer Relationship Management
Marketing Initiatives
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Organisational Skills
Team Management
Flexibility
IT Proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook)
Decarbonisation Knowledge
Training and Upskilling Promotion
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in trade engagement and business development. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Trade Development Manager, so don’t hold back!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to strengthen relationships and drive customer growth. Use numbers and examples where possible – we love a good success story!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the gas industry – we want to understand your experience without getting lost in technical terms.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets into the right hands!

How to prepare for a job interview at Apple Recruitment

✨Know Your Trade Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and regulations in the gas supply chain. Understanding the nuances of low-carbon heating solutions and how they impact trade engagement will show your potential employer that you're not just knowledgeable, but genuinely passionate about the industry.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations, like managing a trade event or resolving a complaint from a trade partner. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated similar challenges, and be ready to share those stories.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

As a Trade Development Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, whether it's discussing your previous roles or explaining how you would engage with installers and manufacturers.

✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Enthusiasm

This role requires flexibility to work outside core hours for trade events. Be prepared to discuss your willingness to adapt and your enthusiasm for engaging with the trade community. Highlight any past experiences where you've gone above and beyond to support your team or clients.

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