At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and support independent retailers to maximise profits and operational effectiveness.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, bonus, and extensive employee benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values ambition, teamwork, and integrity while supporting local communities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food retail sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: GCSE English & Maths, 3 years retail management experience, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Permanent Position - North West
Attractive Salary, Benefits, Company Car, Bonus
36.5 Hour week Field Based
Who are we?
Henderson Group are proud to be Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 6000 colleagues and have been placed 3rd in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2025. We're proud to be an Investors in People accredited employer, and our culture is lived out through our four core values- Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork and Integrity.
A look into the role
Reporting to the Regional Sales Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing support and guidance to a group of independent retailers within the Independent estate. Main responsibilities will include advising on promotional activity, range-review, store layout and operational effectiveness, with the primary objective of growing retailer profit through margin management, turnover growth, and cost control while maximising business available to Henderson Wholesale.
Working as Business Development Manager you will:
- Drive sales at both Wholesale and Retail levels to ensure maximum performance versus budgets.
- Develop marketing plans in your territory to help promote and grow retail sales of individual stores as required, in line with the overall Marketing Strategy.
- Manage customer loyalty and purchasing targets across all commodities, ensuring retailers purchase all products either through the warehouse or via central billing agreements, using reports to manage imagery loans and loyalty rebates.
- Monitor planning and development activity in the territory to identify retail development opportunities.
- Work with Retail Services to ensure that retail development projects are carefully managed to achieve satisfactory outcomes.
- Develop and implement effective business development plans for the SPAR neighbourhood stores.
- Analyse retailers Profit & Loss accounts giving guidance on performance to allow the stores to achieve their net profit targets.
- Build relationships with other departments within the Henderson Group and establish external relationships always promoting the Company.
- Develop and coach retailers to support continual improvement, introducing effective plans to increase customers margins and reduce costs.
- Develop a substantial knowledge of our competitor marketplace.
Skills for Success
Joining us as Business Development Manager the minimum criteria you'll need is:
- GCSE English & Maths (or equivalent) at Grade C or above
- Minimum 3 years experience of managing a store within food retail / Convenience / Supermarket sectors or at an account management level
- Experience of driving retail sales or purchases against set budgets
- Experience of NI food retail market
- Proficient in MS Office packages
- Current UK/EU Driving License
The Attributes you'll need include:
- Influencing and Persuading skills
- Excellent Presentation and Communication skills
- Organisational & Planning Skills, setting clear objectives
- Customer-focused mindset
- Team player
- Build and maintain effective relationships with customers and colleagues
It is desirable if you have:
- Experience of dealing with independent retailers within food convenience sector
- Ability to analyse Profit & Loss accounts
Are we right for you?
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.
- Ambition - We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
- Customer First - We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
- Teamwork - We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
- Integrity - We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The Reward
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people. Benefits include market competitive salary, company car, bonus, contributory pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Perks Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email to get in touch.
Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Monday 22nd June 2026. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Business Development Manager in Lisburn employer: Henderson Group
Henderson Group is an exceptional employer, recognised for its commitment to employee development and community support. With a strong focus on teamwork, integrity, and customer service, we offer a vibrant work culture that encourages ambition and personal growth. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, a company car, bonuses, and a range of perks, all while contributing to a leading foodservice provider in Northern Ireland that values local sourcing and charitable initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Lisburn
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to current employees at Henderson Group. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Henderson Group thoroughly—know their values, recent achievements, and how they operate. Tailor your answers to show how you embody their core values of ambition, customer focus, teamwork, and integrity.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring along examples of your past successes in business development or retail management. Use data to back up your claims, like how you increased sales or improved customer satisfaction. Numbers speak volumes!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself top of mind and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Lisburn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in retail management and any achievements that showcase your ability to drive sales and develop relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your values align with ours. Don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you've driven sales or improved operational effectiveness in previous roles.
Showcase Your Knowledge:Demonstrate your understanding of the NI food retail market in your application. Mention any relevant trends or challenges you’ve encountered and how you’ve successfully navigated them in the past. This will show us you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for our company culture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Henderson Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Business Development Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with figures. Brush up on your understanding of Profit & Loss accounts and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive sales or improve margins in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Customer Focus
Henderson Group values a customer-first mindset. Prepare examples of how you've put customers at the heart of your strategies, whether through enhancing service or building strong relationships with retailers. This will demonstrate that you align with their core values.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Teamwork is crucial in this role. Think of instances where you've collaborated with colleagues or other departments to achieve a common goal. Highlighting your ability to work well with others will resonate with their culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Practice responses to potential challenges you might face in the role, such as managing retailer performance or developing marketing plans. This will show you're proactive and ready for the job.
