At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business growth and build strong customer relationships in a dynamic sales role.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Group, a leader in packaging solutions with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, flexible benefits, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities with structured development and training support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by winning new business and developing meaningful client relationships.
- Qualifications: Two years of B2B sales experience and a proven track record in new business acquisition.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location/Territory: Local Lancashire & North Manchester Region
Salary: Up to £50,000 (dependent on experience) + bonus (OTE up to 100% of salary)
Package: Company car or allowance, flexible benefits, up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays & holiday purchase scheme)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Sector: Packaging Distribution & Solutions
We're dedicated to protecting what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a highly collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can build a sales career that grows. With over 75 years of industry expertise, we offer stability alongside a forward-thinking, growth-focused culture. Our fast-paced, results-driven environment will challenge and stretch you, but it also provides genuine opportunities for progression and long-term success. We reward performance, support development, and empower our people to take ownership of their careers. If you're motivated by winning new business and building something meaningful, you'll thrive here.
The Business Development Manager Role
This is a new business, field-based sales role focused on driving profitable growth across your assigned local territory. You will take ownership of developing a robust sales pipeline, targeting and converting new customers through a consultative, solution-led approach. Working closely with internal teams and regional leadership, you will identify opportunities, conduct packaging audits, present tailored solutions, and secure profitable new business opportunities across a broad range of sectors. Alongside self-generated opportunities, you will also benefit from access to quality sales lead data and existing prospect information to support your activity. Initially, there will additionally be a focus on re-engaging selected lapsed and dormant customer accounts, identifying opportunities to win back and develop profitable trading relationships. The role will primarily focus on developing small-to-medium sized customer accounts, typically securing new business opportunities in the region of £25,000-£40,000 annual spend, contributing towards an annual new business target of approximately £400,000. Supported by an Internal Sales Coordinator, you'll spend much of your time out in the field - attending customer meetings, engaging prospects, building relationships, and closing deals - whilst maintaining strong pipeline discipline through effective CRM utilisation, structured sales planning, and proactive territory management.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a structured territory sales plan focused on new business acquisition
- Identify, target, and win new customers through cold calling, networking, referrals, and marketing leads
- Build and maintain a strong, active pipeline to consistently achieve and exceed new business targets
- Conduct customer site visits and packaging audits to identify improvement opportunities
- Present tailored, solution-led proposals aligned to customer needs and commercial objectives
- Negotiate pricing and commercial terms to maximise margin and long-term value
- Work closely with internal teams (sales support, procurement, logistics) to ensure smooth onboarding and delivery
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all activity, opportunities, and pipeline via CRM (MS Dynamics)
- Collaborate with wider regional and national teams to maximise cross-selling opportunities
What You Will Bring
Essential
- Minimum of two years' experience in a B2B field sales role focused on targeted new business acquisition
- To effectively manage this local territory, you should ideally live within approximately 30 minutes' drive of our Heywood site and be familiar with selling into the proposed Lancashire/Northern Manchester area.
- Proven track record of winning new business and achieving sales targets
- The ability to work in a targeted fashion, utilising leads & data to proactively attack & win back lapsed client accounts
- Strong consultative selling approach with the ability to identify needs and deliver tailored products & solutions.
- Proven experience of developing existing customer accounts whilst effectively managing margins, profitability and commercial growth opportunities.
- Experience generating own leads through cold calling, networking, and proactive prospecting
- Experience of selling high volume consumable products with multi-product catalogue/SKUs (if not packaging, stationary/office products, PPE/workwear/safety products, hygiene/janitorial or industrial consumables could all be a potential fit).
- Commercial awareness with the ability to negotiate effectively and protect margin
- Self motivated, resilient, and comfortable working autonomously in a field based role
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Valid UK driving licence
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and CRM systems
Desirable
- Experience within packaging, manufacturing, distribution, or a related technical product environment
- Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics CRM
What You Will Get
We provide a competitive basic salary alongside a lucrative bonus structure designed to recognise and incentivise success. Our flexible benefits package can include:
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 with service) plus all public/bank holidays
- Additional holiday purchase scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Company car or cash allowance (including electric options)
- Employee assistance programme to support wellbeing
- Extensive training and development opportunities
- Employee discount scheme (retail and leisure)
- Annual paid volunteering day
- Simply Health/Dental or BUPA options (role dependent)
- Enhanced HR policies and long service awards
- Charitable giving options
- Financial support with eye tests and glasses (DSE users)
- EE mobile discount scheme
Your Future With Us
At Macfarlane Group, we actively support career progression and internal mobility. This role offers a clear pathway into senior sales or leadership positions, supported by structured development plans and ongoing training. You'll have access to both internal expertise and external development programmes, including accredited pathways with organisations such as the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) and the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP). We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
Business Development Manager Macfarlane Group UK Ltd in England employer: Job Search Place Limited
Macfarlane Group UK Ltd is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a competitive salary and a lucrative bonus structure. With a strong focus on sustainability and customer satisfaction, the company fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, providing ample opportunities for career progression and personal growth within the thriving packaging distribution sector in the Lancashire and North Manchester region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager Macfarlane Group UK Ltd in England
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Macfarlane Group's values, recent projects, and their approach to sustainability. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend industry events or local meetups in Lancashire and North Manchester. Building relationships with potential clients and other professionals can open doors and give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Prepare a compelling story about your past successes in B2B sales. Highlight how you've driven new business and built strong client relationships, as this is key for the Business Development Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews or networking events, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager Macfarlane Group UK Ltd in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Business Development Manager. Highlight your experience in B2B sales and any specific achievements that showcase your ability to win new business. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with our mission at Macfarlane Group. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Sales Success:When detailing your past experiences, focus on quantifiable results. Share specific examples of how you've met or exceeded sales targets, especially in new business acquisition. Numbers speak volumes, and we want to see your impact!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our recruitment team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Territory
Familiarise yourself with the Lancashire and North Manchester region. Research local businesses, their packaging needs, and any recent developments in the area. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the market during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Sales Success
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully acquired new business in previous roles. Highlight your consultative selling approach and how you've tailored solutions to meet customer needs. Numbers speak volumes, so be ready to discuss your sales targets and achievements.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Macfarlane Group values collaboration and sustainability. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Share examples of how you've contributed to a positive team environment or supported sustainable practices in your previous roles.
✨Master the CRM Tools
Since the role involves maintaining accurate records via CRM systems like MS Dynamics, brush up on your CRM skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used CRM tools to manage your sales pipeline effectively and how it has helped you achieve your targets.
