Senior Business Development Manager – Trade & Distribution

Senior Business Development Manager – Trade & Distribution

Senior Business Development Manager – Trade & Distribution

Are you a commercially driven business developer who thrives on opening new markets, building strategic partnerships and driving meaningful growth?

Findel Education is the UK's leading independent supplier of educational resources. We supply schools, nurseries and learning environments across the UK and in over 100 countries worldwide. We are growing — and we're looking for a senior commercial leader to help shape the next chapter of our B2B story.

The Role

As Senior Business Development Manager for Trade & Distribution, you will be the driving force behind profitable growth across our UK and international B2B channels. This is a role with real scope, from securing new distribution partnerships and developing strategic accounts, to shaping our B2B growth strategy and influencing decisions at senior level.

What You'll Do

• Own revenue and margin targets across UK and international trade and distribution channels.
• Identify and secure new routes to market — strategic partners, distributors and resellers.
• Build and convert a strong pipeline of medium and long-term opportunities.
• Lead high-value commercial negotiations and develop account growth plans for key partners.
• Contribute to B2B commercial strategy, with input to annual planning and budgeting.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to launch new propositions and partner programmes.
• Engage with Ministries of Education and global organisations to develop tailored, end-to-end solutions.
• Mentor junior colleagues and lead on strategic projects.

What We're Looking For

• A proven track record in senior B2B sales, business development or trade channel leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver profitable revenue growth in complex, relationship-driven environments.
• Experience building strategic partnerships and managing distribution or wholesale networks.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen — comfortable with P&L, margin and investment decisions.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills, from partner to boardroom.
• Experience in education, retail, distribution or wholesale is an advantage, as is international market exposure.

Why Findel Education?

We're a purpose-driven business with a clear mission: to equip educators with the resources that help children learn and thrive. With a strong heritage, a growing international footprint and an ambitious growth agenda, this is a rare opportunity to make a tangible commercial impact — and build a career with genuine progression.

We offer:

• A competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
• Hybrid working with flexibility to suit how you do your best work.
• A clear pathway into senior leadership.
• A genuinely collaborative, inclusive culture where commercial ideas are welcomed.

Findel Education is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all our recruitment processes.

Findel is an eCommerce educational resources supplier in the UK and international schools and nurseries marketplace. We own several general and specialist brands including Hope, GLS, Davies Sports, Philip Harris, Spa4Schools, A-Z and LDA.
These brands give us full coverage in all product areas for primary, secondary and early years teaching, as well as specialist resources supply for school business managers, science teaching, PE and sports equipment. Findel’s origins can be traced right back to 1817.
Today, our brands and websites offer more than 32,000 products to customers in the UK and overseas, with the business exporting to over 130 countries. Headquartered in Hyde, Cheshire, we have distribution centre and offices in Nottingham and employ around 300 people. Findel was acquired by Manutan Group in 2024 after a 3 year period of ownership by Endless LLP.