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- Tasks: Drive sales and support independent retailers across Cardiff, Bristol, and Exeter.
- Company: Join Co-op Wholesale, a leader in supporting local businesses.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, 30% off Co-op products, and annual bonuses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building relationships and driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: Experience in Field Sales or FMCG, strong communication, and organisational skills.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with opportunities for career development and networking.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Retail Development Manager role at Co-op. This range is provided by Co-op. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range: Circa £50,000 plus benefits, including a company car and private healthcare (Work Level 5). Field based across Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter; this role will operate in a hybrid pattern, splitting time between working from home and travelling to stores across your area. Please note this is a field-based role with travel to store sites across your assigned area. A full UK driving licence is required.
We’re looking for Retail Development Managers to join Co-op Wholesale. Since 1977, we’ve championed independent retailers to thrive with Nisa - and now, we’re entering a bold new chapter as Co-op Wholesale. It’s the same spirit, with bigger ambition: bringing the power of Co-op to more local businesses than ever. And with that, exciting opportunities are on the rise, like this one.
In this role, you’ll act as the vital link between Co-op Wholesale and our network of independent retailers. You’ll be responsible for managing a core portfolio of between 60-80 retail sites, ensuring each location receives the support needed to maximise sales performance and implement strategic initiatives. Your work will directly contribute to driving our commercial agenda through targeted business activities and incentive programmes.
As the face of the Co-op Wholesale business, regular site visits will form a key part of your role, where you’ll assess store standards, provide operational and procedural guidance alongside identifying opportunities to increase sales volumes. In return, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to build your networks, learn all about the industry, and really make an impact across our Co-op wholesale network.
What you’ll do:
- Drive sales by building positive relationships, helping your retailers to realise their potential and any developing opportunities for growth.
- Create the best experiences for your retailers, finding the root cause to any problems they may face in our stores.
- Manage your own schedule, visiting convenience retailers across your region.
- Work closely with your retailers, challenging and educating them when necessary to develop productive relationships.
- Take responsibility for driving your own performance and delivering KPIs.
- Act as the interface between the head office and retailers; working closely with IT, logistics, and operational teams to resolve issues and queries.
This role would suit people who have:
- Proven track record of driving commercial success in Field Sales/Convenience/FMCG sales, with a strong ability to build and nurture strategic partnerships, and collaborate with key stakeholders to optimise revenue and market growth.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage their workload effectively.
- Strong IT skills with the ability to confidently interpret and feedback data.
- A track record of retaining current business.
Why Co-op?
If you have the skills that we need, we can offer you a competitive salary and great benefits package which includes:
- 30% off Co-op branded products in our food stores (as well as other discounts on Co-op products and services).
- 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.
- Private healthcare.
- Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ).
- Coaching and training to support your career development.
- Wagestream app - giving you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn.
We’re actively building diverse teams and we welcome applications from everyone. If you have a disability, we can make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process according to your needs. We’re also part of the Disability Confident scheme, meaning we’ll always offer an interview to disabled candidates who apply through the scheme if they meet the minimum criteria for a job.
Please note that we may close applications for this role early. As part of your application, you’ll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes between 45-60 minutes.
Retail Development Manager employer: Co-op
Contact Detail:
Co-op Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the retail industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up local meetups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Retail Development Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with recruiters or during interviews, highlight your experience in driving sales and building relationships. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like Co-op, and express your interest in potential opportunities. A little initiative can go a long way in making a great impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it flexible! Since this role involves travelling and managing your own schedule, be ready to discuss how you can adapt to different situations. Show that you’re organised and can handle the demands of a field-based position.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Retail Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in field sales and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive commercial success.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for Co-op. Share specific examples of how you've built relationships with retailers and driven sales performance in previous roles.
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your strong communication and organisational skills. We want to see how you manage your workload and collaborate with teams to resolve issues effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and stands out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Co-op
✨Know Your Retail Landscape
Before the interview, do your homework on the retail sector, especially in the areas of Cardiff, Bristol, and Exeter. Familiarise yourself with Co-op's position in the market and its competitors. This will help you speak confidently about how you can drive sales and support independent retailers.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Retail Development Manager, building relationships is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully nurtured partnerships or resolved conflicts. Be ready to discuss how you can create positive experiences for retailers and help them realise their potential.
✨Demonstrate Your Data Savvy
Strong IT skills are essential for this role. Brush up on your ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data in previous roles to optimise revenue or improve sales performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about challenges you might face in the role, such as managing multiple store visits or addressing retailer concerns. Practise articulating your thought process and solutions clearly.
