At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial growth by engaging with dealer principals and executing tailored strategies.
- Company: Join Ford Credit, a leader in automotive finance with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company car, modern tools, and comprehensive training to succeed.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on Ford's growth strategy while building valuable relationships.
- Qualifications: Proven B2B sales experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Are you an energetic field-sales or business development professional who thrives on influencing senior stakeholders and unlocking commercial growth?
Ford Credit is seeking a commercially astute
Business Development Manager (16-Month Maternity Cover) to champion our Fin Simple commercial vehicle proposition across our
Southern dealer network .
Operating predominantly in the field (typically 4 days on the road engaging dealer principals and 1 day in the office/remote collaboration), you will act as a trusted business consultant.
Dealerships are independent partners, so your success hinges on your ability to interpret market data, build credible relationships, and influence without direct authority to maximise finance penetration across commercial vehicles, leasing, and small fleets.
Why this role?
- High Strategic Impact: Commercial vehicles are central to Ford’s growth strategy, putting your work directly in the spotlight.
- Autonomy & Visibility: Own your territory and partner directly with dealer principals, general managers, and Ford Credit leadership.
- Tools to Succeed: Fully supported with a company car, modern digital tools, and comprehensive product training.
- Drive Commercial Growth: Develop and execute tailored regional growth strategies to maximise Ford Credit penetration across commercial vehicle finance, leasing, and small fleets.
- Influence & Advise: Build credible, trusted relationships with Dealer Principals, Sales Directors, and key dealership stakeholders across the Southern region.
- Translate Data into Action: Analyse dealer sales trends and market intelligence to identify untapped opportunities and construct actionable joint business plans.
- Coach & Enable: Support dealership teams with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to position Fin Simple and Ford Lease solutions effectively.
- Field Engagement: Spend ~4 days per week visiting dealer sites across the territory, reviewing performance, sharing best practices, and driving engagement.
Essential
- Proven track record in B2B field sales, territory account management, or business development.
- Outstanding stakeholder management skills with a demonstrated ability to influence partners without direct authority.
- Strong commercial and analytical acumen—comfortable translating data into practical growth plans.
- Self-motivated, highly organized, and comfortable managing a field-based travel schedule.
- Based in or easily commutable to the
- Southern Region
(ideally within ~1 hour of key territory hubs), with the ability to travel to dealer sites up to 2–2.5 hours away.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable (Not Essential)
- Background in automotive, fleet, asset finance, or commercial leasing (strong field sales professionals from other B2B sectors with high learning agility are warmly encouraged to apply).
- Experience working with franchised dealer networks or independent distribution partners.
Additional Information
The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favorable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.
This position is based in Dunton, Essex and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton Campus for at least 1 day a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.
- #LI-Ford Credit
- #LI-Hybrid
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FinSimple Business Development Manager employer: Ford
Join Ford Credit as a Financial Reporting Supervisor and be part of a dynamic team that values accuracy, compliance, and innovation in financial reporting. Located in Dunton, you will enjoy a flexible work environment, with the opportunity to engage directly with Senior Leadership while driving high-profile deliverables like the Annual Report & Accounts. Our commitment to diversity and employee growth ensures a supportive culture where your contributions are recognised and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FinSimple Business Development Manager
✨Leverage Local Networking Events
Field sales is all about building relationships, so look out for local networking events or industry meetups. These gatherings are prime spots for making connections with potential clients and employers. Bring your A-game and chat about your experiences—first impressions matter!
✨Showcase Your Sales Success Stories
Prepare a couple of solid success stories from your past experiences in sales to share during interviews. Think about specific targets you hit or ways you went above and beyond for your clients. Don't be shy—these stories help illustrate your value to Ford as a field sales pro!
✨Scout Out the Competition
Research potential competitors for Ford and tailor your approach based on what you find. Understanding their sales strategies will not only help you in interviews, but also give you better talking points when you connect with current employees or industry pros on platforms like LinkedIn.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We know that applying through job boards is tempting, but hitting up Ford’s website directly can show your genuine interest. Plus, you might find some hidden gems or roles that haven't been advertised yet. So, make it a priority to check it out!
We think you need these skills to ace FinSimple Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Sales Savvy:For a field-sales role like this one at Ford, highlight your previous sales experience prominently on your CV. Use specific numbers to showcase your achievements—think along the lines of 'exceeded sales targets by 20%' or 'expanded client base by 50%'. We want to see your skills in action!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the role at Ford, but also your understanding of the field sales landscape. Talk about what strategies you've successfully employed in past positions and how they could translate to success in this new role. This is your chance to shine!
Emphasise Interpersonal Skills:Field sales isn't just about the sale—it's about building relationships. Make sure to highlight your communication and negotiation skills in your application materials. We’re all about someone who can connect with clients, so weave those soft skills into your CV and cover letter.
Proof of Performance:If you have any sales certifications or training, definitely include those in your application. They add credibility and show your commitment to growing your sales skills. We believe in the power of ongoing development, so don’t hesitate to include those details to stand out to us at Ford.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ford
✨Show Off Your Sales Savvy
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of key sales techniques and terminologies. We can expect to dive into your past sales experiences, so be ready to discuss your approach to prospecting, closing deals, and managing client relationships. A few solid examples of your past successes could really make you stand out!
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Having a solid understanding of the products or services that Ford offers is essential. We want to hear how you would convey the value of these to potential clients and address any common objections they might have. If you can tie your knowledge back to real-life scenarios, that'll make your answers even more compelling!
✨Flex Your Adaptability Muscles
As a full-time field-sales rep, your day can be unpredictable. Be prepared to share how you've adapted your sales strategies to different situations or client needs. We love to hear stories where you’ve had to think on your feet or adjust your pitch mid-meeting—this shows you’re not just a one-size-fits-all salesperson!
✨Plan Your Questions Wisely
At the end of the interview, we'll likely ask if you have any questions for us. Use this opportunity to ask about the sales team's culture and the tools you'll be using out in the field. This not only shows your genuine interest in Ford but also helps you get a feel for whether you’d thrive in that environment.
