At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with customers to grow market share and loyalty across multiple branches.
- Company: Join GSF Car Parts, a leading automotive parts distributor in the UK.
- Benefits: Performance-based bonuses, 20+ days annual leave, health perks, and discounts at major retailers.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, progression, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the automotive industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in field sales or FMCG, strong negotiation skills, and a dynamic personality.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
About The Role
At GSF Car Parts, providing an excellent service and supporting our customers is our most important priority. As a Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for actively engaging with customers within an agreed geography to grow market share and increase loyalty. You will expand the customer base through targeting new business opportunities across existing and new sales channels. The role will cover customers for our Bedford, Letchworth, Luton and Peterborough branches, so you must be based local enough to travel to customers within the area.
Main Duties
- Proactively grow the branch customer base by targeted new business generation and opening new accounts, targeting new IMT accounts and new non‑IMT accounts such as dealerships, manufacturers, resellers.
- Target high potential existing IMT and National Accounts for growth.
- Work in collaboration with the branch team to identify target IMT accounts using CRM data and local knowledge.
- Work with National Accounts to identify and target opportunity accounts.
- Partner with supplier field sales to grow market share across key categories through joint workouts and initiatives.
- Grow market share in own brand products and identify target accounts using MI to identify opportunities to grow own brand products.
- Grow our digital sales channels.
- Roll out parts finder APP across IMT channels and GMS integration using AOLV4.
- Work with the GE team to drive tooling and equipment sales.
- Utilise the lead generation system.
Working Hours
45 (average) hours per week, Monday to Friday.
About You
The ideal candidate will have proven experience in field‑sales, or a similar role within the FMCG industry, or a multi‑site organisation.
What you’ll need to succeed
- Strong automotive product and competitor knowledge is desirable though not essential.
- Strong negotiation and presentation skills.
- Customer database and analysis experience would be advantageous.
- Dynamic, persuasive personality.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Electronic catalogue experience would be handy but not paramount.
- Operative with enthusiasm and commitment.
- Self‑motivated and able to manage own time effectively.
- Proven track record of B2B sales.
- IT literate, specifically within Excel and PowerPoint.
- Full UK driving licence with a maximum of 6 points.
What we’ll offer
- Opportunity to earn a performance‑based bonus as part of this role.
- 20 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the opportunity to earn up to five more with time‑served.
- Free flu vaccine.
- Health & wellbeing tools.
- Free support from pension experts.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Discounts from hundreds of household names including Asda, Nike & John Lewis.
- A suite of financial wellbeing products including advances and savings schemes.
- Paid time off to volunteer.
- Training qualifications and career progression opportunities.
About Us
GSF Car Parts is one of the UK’s leading automotive parts distributors, supplying thousands of independent garages throughout the UK and Ireland with parts, tools, garage equipment and specialist training. The group has over 175 branches nationwide and a turnover exceeding £475 million. Built on the heritage and success of a dozen local brand identities acquired over several years, we have traded as one brand since November 2021. Our branch network is bolstered by centralised support and expertise from specialist departments in key areas such as procurement and supply chain, marketing and national accounts. The business also benefits from integrated IT systems, which include our industry‑leading catalogue system, Allicat, and access to the Group’s national garage programme, Servicesure.
Business Development Manager in Bedford employer: GSF Car Parts Limited
Contact Detail:
GSF Car Parts Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research GSF Car Parts, their values, and their products. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Business Development Manager. Have examples ready that showcase your skills in sales and customer engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the GSF Car Parts family.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in field sales and any specific achievements that showcase your ability to grow customer bases and market share.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for GSF Car Parts. Use it to demonstrate your understanding of the automotive industry and how your skills align with our goals, especially in terms of customer engagement and business growth.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your negotiation and presentation skills in your application. We want to see how you can effectively communicate and persuade customers, so give us examples of when you've done this successfully in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, you can ensure all your details are captured correctly and we can get back to you as soon as possible!
How to prepare for a job interview at GSF Car Parts Limited
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, do your homework on GSF Car Parts and the automotive industry. Understand their products, competitors, and market trends. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Sales Skills
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully generated new business or expanded customer bases. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements in B2B sales.
✨Be Ready to Discuss CRM and Data Analysis
Since the role involves using CRM data to identify target accounts, be prepared to discuss your experience with customer databases and how you've used data analysis to drive sales. Bring examples of how you've leveraged data to make informed decisions in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a Business Development Manager, effective communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a short presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your presentation skills during the interview.