Business Development Executive in Manchester

Location: Manchester (Hybrid 3 days in office)

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 + Quarterly Commission + Car Allowance

Our client is a well-established and highly regarded specialist analytical laboratory, recognised as a market leader in their niche testing services across the UK and internationally. Operating across multiple UK sites, they serve clients across environmental, occupational, food/feed and industrial sectors.

Following a period of restructuring within their commercial team, they are now recruiting for a Business Development Executive to support their laboratory operations, working as part of a small, close-knit sales team. This role is specifically designed for someone with a laboratory or scientific background who is ready to take their first step, or next step, into a technical sales career. You will be given support, guidance, and the tools to develop into a confident sales professional, with a path towards a more senior commercial role.

If you come from a contract laboratory background and have always been curious about the commercial side of science, this is your opportunity to make the move!

• Learning the full sales cycle from the first contact through to close, with support and mentoring from a senior BDM.
• Conducting research to build and develop a pipeline of prospective clients across multiple sectors.
• Reaching out with calls, emails and in-person networking events to identify and connect with key decision makers and discuss their requirements.
• Understanding client needs and promoting specialist analytical testing services to new and existing clients, with support from technical colleagues for complex enquiries.
• Collaborating with the wider sales team and laboratory operations to ensure seamless client experience.
• Managing a portfolio of existing accounts through regular quarterly touchpoints, ensuring client retention and identifying upsell opportunities.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of sales activities using CRM systems (Salesforce) and internal tools.
• Occasional UK and international travel as required to attend client meetings, industry events, and trade shows.

• Background working in a laboratory environment; experience in environmental or occupational hygiene testing or a similar sector is strongly preferred.
• A genuine interest in developing a career in technical sales, either as your first move from the lab or with some early stage commercial exposure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable engaging with technical professionals and building relationships over time.
• A consultative and methodical approach; you don’t need to be a high-pressure closer but, you do need to be persistent, organised and motivated.
• Comfortable managing your own workload and priorities in a hybrid working environment.
• Experienced in Microsoft Office; CRM experience is a bonus but not essential.
• Any exposure to customer facing, account management, or technical support role within a scientific setting is desirable but not essential.

• Full training and support provided to help transition into a first end-to-end sales role.
• Work for a genuine market leader in specialist analytical testing who is well known and respected in their sector.
• Hybrid working with real flexibility: 3 days in the Manchester office per week, no rigid KPIs around client visits.
• Competitive base salary up to £45,000 with a quarterly commission structure and car allowance.
• Backed by a larger group, providing stability and investment.
• A less corporate, more impact-driven culture; you’ll have real influence on the growth of the business, not just be a number on a spreadsheet.

If you have a laboratory background and are ready to make your move into technical sales, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or reach out directly for a confidential conversation about the role.