Senior Business Development Manager in Watford

Senior Business Development Manager in Watford

Watford Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Institute of Grocery Distribution

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build relationships and drive customer acquisition in a dynamic sales environment.
  • Company: Join IGD, a Great Place to Work focused on growth and impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a market-leading pension, bonus scheme, and generous medical insurance.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference while advancing your career in a supportive culture.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in high-value sales, with experience in B2B and FMCG/retail.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on work-life balance and personal development.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

At IGD, we’re proud to be a Great Place to Work, where our people are empowered to grow, inspired to lead and ready to make a difference. At the heart of that experience is how we attract, welcome, and support new colleagues to join us. That’s where you come in. We’re looking for a Senior Business Development Manager who will report into the Head of Business Development.

What you’ll do:

  • Customer Acquisition - You’ll be building rapport and creating relationships with both cold and warm leads. You will take ownership of the sales process, from first contact to conversion. Getting under the skin of a client’s challenges will be second nature and you will be passionate about proposing the right first step for each of the clients you engage. Whilst on your mission to win new clients, you will also understand the bigger picture and the importance of sustainable growth.

What we’re looking for:

  • You have a proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets with 5 years + experience in a high value quota role.
  • You will have at least 3+ years’ experience in a B2B and extensive experience of working with FMCG and/or retail clients.
  • You have a strategic, consultative approach to sales and demonstrable skills in both building and managing robust pipelines.
  • You will have the confidence to talk with C‑Suite and decision makers, in‑person and virtually.
  • You are self‑motivated, comfortable working on your own initiative whilst also being a keen collaborator and team player.
  • You are proactive, resilient and tenacious with a ‘can do’ attitude, adept at creative problem solving both internally and externally.
  • You have excellent networking skills and ideally have an existing network of contacts in the FMCG/Retail space.
  • Experience of a high‑performance and customer‑focused culture.
  • Proven ability to adapt to change and embrace new products and services.
  • Strong commercial acumen with a good understanding of business issues.
  • You are looking for a company in which to make a real difference and take your career to the next level.

The rewards:

We offer a range of benefits, including a market leading pension, a bonus scheme, the ability to buy and sell annual leave plus a generous medical insurance package. You will have a great work‑life balance, where you are empowered & trusted to manage your time.

The location:

We are operating a hybrid approach to working with a mix of home and office‑based working. We are based in a very accessible location within the M25, just 20 miles from Central London.

Our behaviours:

  • We’re hungry for better.
  • We solve it together.
  • We make it happen.
  • We say what needs to be said.

More about our people:

We’re looking for inspiring professionals; talented people who seek personal and career growth and are ambitious to develop their potential and unlock opportunities for society, for our clients and themselves. We seek and attract the very best people and create an environment that supports and includes them. We aim to encourage a culture where people can be themselves and be valued for their contribution. We welcome applications from diverse candidates. Please discuss any adjustments that you may require throughout the selection and assessment process.

More about IGD:

We are a strategic insight foresight and learning organisation. Here to unite the industry and benefit society. We invest all our profit into Social Impact. We foster collaboration through a broad range of forums, bringing together businesses, policymakers, and thought leaders. By providing evidence‑based insights, credible research, and strategic foresight, we help organisations make informed decisions that benefit their operations and contribute to the collective good of society.

Senior Business Development Manager in Watford employer: Institute of Grocery Distribution

At IGD, we pride ourselves on being a Great Place to Work, where our employees are empowered to grow and inspired to lead in a collaborative environment. With a strong focus on personal and career development, we offer a range of benefits including a market-leading pension, generous medical insurance, and a flexible hybrid working model that promotes a healthy work-life balance. Located just 20 miles from Central London, we foster a culture of inclusivity and support, making it an ideal place for ambitious professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
Institute of Grocery Distribution

Contact Detail:

Institute of Grocery Distribution Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager in Watford

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the FMCG and retail space. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential leads on LinkedIn. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching IGD inside out. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference with them.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You’ll need to demonstrate your consultative sales approach, so rehearse how you’d tackle client challenges. Use role-playing with friends or colleagues to refine your delivery and boost your confidence.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make it happen together!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager in Watford

Customer Acquisition
Sales Process Management
Relationship Building
Strategic Sales Approach
B2B Sales Experience
FMCG/Retail Industry Knowledge
Pipeline Management
Networking Skills
C-Suite Engagement
Creative Problem Solving
Commercial Acumen
Adaptability to Change
Self-Motivation
Team Collaboration
Resilience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about the opportunity to make a difference at IGD and how your experience aligns with our mission.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV for the Senior Business Development Manager position. Highlight your relevant experience in B2B sales and your success in building relationships with clients, especially in the FMCG and retail sectors.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the role. Use it to explain how your strategic approach to sales and your ability to engage with C-suite decision-makers will benefit IGD.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Institute of Grocery Distribution

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Senior Business Development Manager, you’ll need to showcase your proven track record. Be ready to discuss specific sales targets you've met or exceeded in the past. Prepare some metrics that highlight your success in customer acquisition and pipeline management.

✨Understand the Client's Needs

Get under the skin of the challenges faced by potential clients in the FMCG and retail sectors. Research common pain points and think about how your experience can provide solutions. This will help you demonstrate your consultative approach during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Networking Skills

Since networking is key in this role, come prepared with examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with C-suite executives. If you have an existing network in the FMCG/Retail space, mention it! This shows you’re already well-connected and ready to hit the ground running.

✨Embrace the Company Culture

IGD values collaboration and a proactive attitude. Familiarise yourself with their behaviours like 'We solve it together' and 'We make it happen'. During the interview, reflect these values in your answers and show how you embody them in your work style.

Senior Business Development Manager in Watford
Institute of Grocery Distribution
Location: Watford

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>