Business Development Manager

This is a dynamic role working in a fast-growing organisation with a world-class Cargo product. Dover is long renowned as the UK's number one Port for our fast-moving logistics in the Ferry market, facilitating over 2.2m HGV movements a year. We have taken this expertise and applied it to a global platform through the development of a state-of-the-art Cargo facility.

The role is responsible for the profit and loss management of current and future customers in the perishable market sector. The successful candidate will account manage and business develop a base of current and future customers, actively broadening our perishable sector up and down the supply chain. Dover are market champions in sustainability, operations and H&S. The candidate will work with our service teams and operations to deliver a range of exciting and challenging commercial projects in one of Europe's busiest ports to the highest standards.

This role is at the forefront of customer service delivery both internally and externally and the post holder needs a strong customer focus, and commercial and operational foundation with a passion for delivering world-class supply chain solutions nationally and internationally.

The Business Development Manager will be working within our Commercial team out of our operation offices in the Port of Dover. Reporting to the Head of Business Development, you will be crucial in ensuring effective collaboration with our customers across a national and international network, striving to deliver port-centric solutions that boost engagement and loyalty while securing a competitive advantage.

The post holder will develop customer partnerships against the Port of Dover's evolving and dynamic commercial strategy with existing and prospective perishable customers, strengthening our customer portfolio and pipeline of business development work. With a strong background in developing and growing international partnerships, you will manage all existing perishable customer partnerships and commercial activities, ensuring we deliver a market-leading offering, based on quality and customer service.

With a world-class cargo terminal having come online in 2019 and exciting additional infrastructure developments in the pipeline, the initial focus will be on strengthening our perishable offering and specialise a unique service offering, but from time to time, you will be asked to contribute to our other business pillars: Ferry, Cargo, Cruise, Property and Marina (the 5 pillars), and from Operations to Commercial, People to innovation (e.g. our Departments) - by working on exciting challenges and opportunities that we face in being a critical part of the UK's national infrastructure.

Skills and Qualifications

• Must have direct experience within account management and Business Development.
• Extensive experience within supply chain or logistics.
• Experience within perishables and/or port sector would be desirable.
• Have experience of the industry with supermarkets/retailers, importers, agents and/or shipping lines.
• Ability to develop and implement proposals within a highly commercial environment.
• Extensive experience in commercial roles, with a track record in business development and strategic partnerships.
• Proven ability to deliver growth in a sales-led or commercial environment.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Good operational foundation within the supply chain environment.
• Financial accounting awareness and experience in managing budgets and P&L accounts.
• Confident user of MS applications.
• Full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle is essential.
• Project management experience is advantageous.
• Knowledge in food safety, security and quality would be advantageous.
• Government knowledge of perishable regulations would be advantageous.
• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and confidence in engaging and influencing at Managing Director and Executive level.
• Passionate about growth, innovations and delivering new supply chain solutions.
• Ability to undertake International, European and UK travel.
• Confident public speaker in representing the Port of Dover brand, across the sector internationally.
• Resilience and drive to exceed targets, creatively solving problems.
• Analytical skills and ability to conclude statistical and market data and making recommendations at senior level.
• Energised by commercial opportunities and setting out a target strategy.
• Ability to negotiate and manage conflict with a pro-active and pragmatic approach delivering successful results.
• Creative, open-minded and innovative, having the ability to see the bigger picture across the whole of our business.
• Ability to develop strong collaborative relationships, internally and externally.
• Ability to identify and implement opportunities for expanding our service offering.

5 weeks annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata). Generous contributory pension scheme. Discretionary annual bonus scheme. Private Health Care. Life assurance. Employee assistance programme. 3rd party discounts. Cycle to work scheme. Benefits and reward platform. Free Parking. Salary sacrifice EV scheme.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years) and there will be a pre-employment medical including a Drug and Alcohol test. We need to satisfy your Right to Work in the UK. Please be aware that all employees will be subject to background security checks in order to obtain a Dock Pass.

We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone is looking after each other and respected, included and able to perform at their best. We are very open to hybrid working.