At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail growth strategies and develop relationships with independent retailers.
- Company: Join Musgrave, a family-owned business with a 150-year legacy in food innovation.
- Benefits: Career development opportunities, collaborative environment, and a focus on community impact.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid working model and be part of a legacy of innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in retail while driving business growth and supporting local communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail development and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Join Musgrave Empowering Communities, Innovating the Future. Musgrave is one of Europe's most successful family-owned businesses, with a rich 150-year legacy in food and brand innovation. We’re proud to serve communities across Ireland and Spain, feeding one in three people every day through 19 iconic brands like SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Frank and Honest, and Musgrave MarketPlace. By supporting thousands of retail and food service family businesses, we make a positive impact on the communities they serve. We’re committed to becoming the most trusted and sustainable business in Ireland, and we’re looking for dynamic, forward-thinking individuals to join us on this journey.
As we continue our journey towards becoming Ireland's most trusted and sustainable business, we are looking for an experienced and commercially focused Senior Retail Development Manager to lead the growth and expansion of our retail network across Northern Ireland.
About the Role
As Senior Retail Development Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role in identifying, developing, and delivering growth opportunities across our SuperValu, Centra and Mace brands. Acting as a senior ambassador for Musgrave, you will build strategic relationships, drive business development initiatives, and lead a high-performing team focused on attracting new retailers and expanding our network. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious commercial leader who is passionate about retail, business growth, and helping independent retailers succeed.
What you’ll do
- Develop and deliver an ambitious retail growth strategy that drives new store openings and conversions.
- Lead, coach and develop a team of Business Development professionals while engaging the wider sales organisation to maximise growth opportunities.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospective retailers and new store opportunities, proactively identifying and engaging competitor retailers and independent operators with the potential to join the Musgrave network.
- Create compelling retailer recruitment propositions that clearly demonstrate the benefits of partnering with Musgrave's leading retail brands.
- Establish effective lead generation and conversion processes from initial contact through to successful onboarding.
- Develop strong relationships with property agents, legal representatives, and industry contacts to identify new opportunities.
- Prepare robust business cases, including financial projections and commercial evaluations for new store developments.
- Negotiate commercially beneficial agreements with prospective retailers and external partners.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative store development projects and retail solutions.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities to support strategic decision-making.
- Play a key leadership role within the wider sales team, contributing to a high-performance culture and growth agenda.
What we’re looking for
- Proven success in a Franchise Business Development, Retail Development, or Regional Sales Management role.
- Experience within FMCG, convenience retail, wholesale or food retail sectors.
- Experience developing and executing business growth strategies.
- Strong understanding of the retail marketplace and competitive landscape.
- Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coach, motivate and develop teams.
- Excellent commercial acumen and financial analysis skills.
- Strong negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Experience managing multiple priorities and projects within a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to analyse market data and identify profitable growth opportunities.
- Full clean driving licence and willingness to travel extensively throughout the region.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in retail acquisition, franchise development, network expansion or store conversion projects.
- Degree qualification in Business, Commerce, Marketing or a related discipline.
- Experience working with property agents, legal representatives and external commercial partners.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects and strategic business initiatives.
Why Musgrave?
- Career Development: With a commitment to your personal and professional growth, Musgrave offers numerous opportunities for advancement and learning.
- Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a passionate team, where your contributions will make a significant impact.
- Innovation Focus: Be part of a company that values forward-thinking solutions.
- Community Focus: Be part of a company that truly values its communities and strives to make a positive impact.
- Be Part of a Legacy: Join a company with a long-standing commitment to community and innovation.
Are you ready to make a difference? Apply now and join us in creating a future where business success and positive change go hand in hand. Musgrave is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from diverse candidates. If we can make any accommodations to enable you to be the best version of yourself during the interview, please let us know. Musgrave operate a Work Smart hybrid working model where you can alternate your time between connecting and collaborating in the business and working remotely.
Senior Retail Development Manager in Belfast employer: Musgrave NI
Musgrave is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and community impact. As a Marketing Manager in Belfast, you will benefit from a collaborative environment that fosters personal and professional growth, while being part of a legacy that values forward-thinking solutions and meaningful contributions to local communities. With a commitment to career development and a hybrid working model, Musgrave provides a unique opportunity to thrive in your marketing career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Retail Development Manager in Belfast
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Musgrave NI, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Musgrave NI!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Retail Development Manager in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Musgrave NI, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Musgrave NI and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Musgrave NI that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Musgrave NI
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
