At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business growth and win B2B customers across Thames Valley and M4 Corridor.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, the UK's leading packaging distributor with over 75 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car or cash allowance, flexible benefits, and 25+ days holiday.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and structured sales training await you.
- Why this job: Build a high-impact sales career and make a real difference in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven B2B sales experience, strong prospecting skills, and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Reading, Berkshire (field-based across Thames Valley & M4 Corridor including Slough, Maidenhead, Bracknell, High Wycombe, Oxford and surrounding areas)
Annual Salary: Up to £55,000 (dependent on experience, including London weighting) + OTE (earn up to 100% of salary)
Benefits: Company car or cash allowance (including electric options), flexible benefits
Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday
Sector: B2B Packaging Distribution & Packaging Solutions
Build a high-impact sales career with Macfarlane Packaging. At Macfarlane Packaging, we protect what matters - our customers, our people and the products they rely on every day. As the UK’s leading packaging distributor with over 75 years of heritage, we combine market-leading capability with a strong growth agenda.
This is a role for a true new business hunter - someone who genuinely thrives on opening doors, winning new customers and building profitable pipelines within a competitive B2B environment.
The Business Development Manager Role:
Working for our Reading based Distribution Centre, you will be responsible for driving pure new business growth across the Thames Valley and wider M4 Corridor area. You will focus on identifying, targeting and converting new B2B customers, selling value-led packaging solutions and services. While account development will follow, this role is fundamentally about prospecting, winning and delivering sustained new revenue. This is not a passive account management role - success will be measured by your ability to consistently deliver against new business targets and build a robust sales pipeline.
Key responsibilities:
- Proactively identify, target and win new B2B customers across the territory
- Generate and manage a strong pipeline through structured prospecting, appointments and proposals
- Deliver consultative, value‑led packaging solutions tailored to customer needs
- Own the full sales cycle from first contact through to close and handover
- Achieve and exceed agreed new business revenue targets (circa £300k+ annually)
- Negotiate commercially robust pricing and margin‑led agreements
- Accurately manage activity and pipeline via CRM (Microsoft Dynamics)
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure smooth onboarding of new customers
What you will bring:
Essential:
- Proven experience as a Business Development Manager/New Business Sales professional in a B2B environment
- Demonstrable track record of winning new business and consistently delivering against sales targets
- Experience selling tangible products or solutions using a consultative sales approach
- Strong prospecting capability with confidence in opening doors and creating opportunities
- Commercially astute with strong negotiation and closing skills
- High levels of self‑motivation, resilience and autonomy
- Confident operating in a field-based role across the Thames Valley/M4 corridor region (and you must reside on patch)
- Competent using CRM systems and Microsoft Office
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
- Experience selling packaging, packaging solutions or consumables into B2B markets
- Knowledge of selling into manufacturing, logistics, ecommerce or industrial customers
- Experience using Microsoft Dynamics CRM
What you will get:
We reward performance, not just activity. Our package includes:
- Competitive basic salary with lucrative bonus/commission structure
- Company car or cash allowance (including hybrid/electric options)
- 25 days holiday rising to 27 with service, plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working (field based, home working and office based)
- Pension, wellbeing support and flexible benefits
- Structured sales training and development
- Clear career pathways into senior sales, key accounts or leadership roles
- Volunteering days and employee discount schemes
Your future with Macfarlane Packaging:
We are a business where high performers progress. If you consistently deliver, you’ll find genuine opportunity to develop your career within a large, stable and ambitious group business.
Apply now. We are reviewing applications as they are received and encourage early applications. Please click apply and submit your up-to-date CV. Initial Teams/video interview, followed by local site-based interview thereafter. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. No recruitment agencies please.
Business Development Manager in England employer: Macfarlane Packaging
At Macfarlane Packaging, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters growth and innovation. With a competitive salary package, flexible benefits, and a strong focus on employee development, our Business Development Managers enjoy the autonomy to drive new business while being supported by a collaborative team. Located in Reading, our field-based role across the Thames Valley and M4 Corridor provides unique opportunities to engage with diverse clients and make a significant impact in the B2B packaging sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in England
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Business Development Manager at Macfarlane Packaging, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Macfarlane Packaging. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Business Development Manager. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Macfarlane Packaging:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Macfarlane Packaging. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Macfarlane Packaging that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Macfarlane Packaging that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Macfarlane Packaging’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
