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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Build partnerships with independent retailers and drive business growth in your region.
- Company: Join Co-op Wholesale, a community-focused organisation with exciting growth plans.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, annual bonuses, generous holiday, and discounts on products.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping the future of local retail partnerships.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Field-based, with occasional travel to our Scunthorpe office for team meetings.
Co-op Wholesale is growing, and we’re looking for people who want to shape what comes next. As a Business Development Manager, you’ll play a key role in building strong partnerships with independent retailers across your region. You’ll spot new business opportunities, bring the right partners on board, and help them make the most of everything our wholesale offer brings. This is a great opportunity to drive our growth and increase our presence amongst local retailers in your region. If you’re ready to take on the challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
Why this role matters
We’re building something big at Co-op Wholesale. With a refreshed structure and exciting plans ahead, we’re creating new opportunities to strengthen our proposition for our independent retailers, key accounts, and a growing corporate client base. You’ll join our Business Development and Growth team, which is expanding to take on some of our biggest and boldest acquisition targets. This team is all about collaboration, growth, and driving our business forward. From identifying new markets to shaping trusted partnerships, they’re helping take us to the next level. This is where you come in. This is your chance to bring new ideas to life and make a real impact across Co-op Wholesale. Be part of it.
What you’ll do
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of new business opportunities in your region
- Work closely with colleagues to onboard new partners smoothly and set them up for long-term success
- Share insights and ideas to help improve our new business acquisition strategy
- Represent our Nisa brand with confidence and credibility in your region
- Look for opportunities to strengthen our community presence and support the growth of Co-op Wholesale
What you’ll bring
- Experience delivering business development strategies
- Knowledge of the independent retail sector
- Great relationship-building and partner management skills
- Commercial know-how and an understanding of what drives profitability
- A proactive approach and strong problem-solving skills
- Good communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge others inclusively
Why Co-op?
At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:
- Private healthcare
- An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
- 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
- A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
- 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
- Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
- Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
- 24/7 colleague support service
- Training and support for your development and career progression
- Cycle-to-work scheme
A place you’ll belong
We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work. We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.
Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion.
As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you’re a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.
Business Development Manager in Kettering employer: Co-op
Contact Detail:
Co-op Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Kettering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the independent retail sector. Attend local events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners. Building relationships is key to spotting new business opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you meet potential partners, share insights and ideas that demonstrate your knowledge of the market. This not only builds credibility but also shows that you’re genuinely interested in helping them succeed.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Research potential partners in your region and reach out to them directly. A well-timed email or call can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to hear from you directly, so make sure you submit your application on our site. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and helps us see how you can contribute to our growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Kettering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about building partnerships and driving growth in the independent retail sector.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in business development and relationship management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they align with what we do at Co-op Wholesale.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure you articulate your thoughts well without unnecessary fluff. This will help us see your potential right away!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Co-op
✨Know Your Business Development Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your business development strategies and the independent retail sector. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully built partnerships in the past and what specific tactics you used to drive growth.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your relationship-building abilities. Think of times when you’ve managed partners or clients effectively, and be ready to explain how you can bring that same energy to Co-op Wholesale.
✨Be Proactive and Problem-Solving
During the interview, demonstrate your proactive approach by discussing challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will show that you’re not just a thinker but also a doer who can tackle issues head-on.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since this role involves influencing others, being able to communicate your ideas effectively will be key. Don’t shy away from sharing your insights on improving business acquisition strategies!
