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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and grow retail partnerships from scratch, driving brand presence and revenue.
- Company: Dynamic startup with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Autonomy, commission structure, and the chance to shape your role.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building something new and exciting.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is not a maintain a few accounts and send some emails kind of job. Read on to find out what you will need to succeed in this position, including skills, qualifications, and experience. This is the first dedicated Business Development hire for the business - which means one thing: you'll be building the retail channel properly, from the ground up.
You’ll be responsible for identifying, approaching and winning new retail partners across the UK, helping grow brand presence and ultimately driving revenue. There’s no legacy pipeline to lean on. No warm desk. No hiding place. But there is real opportunity to make your mark and be the person behind that growth.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Identifying and targeting independent and national retailers within the home, interiors and furnishings space
- Proactively generating new business through calls, emails, LinkedIn and face-to-face meetings
- Building and managing your own sales pipeline from scratch
- Presenting the product range in a compelling, commercially focused way
- Negotiating terms and closing deals with new retail partners
- Developing long-term relationships to drive repeat and consistent business
- Attending trade shows, client meetings and industry events
- Feeding back market insight - what's selling, what's not, what competitors are doing
- Working closely with internal teams to ensure smooth onboarding of new accounts
What You’ll Need
- Proven experience in business development / field sales / account acquisition
- Experience selling into retailers (homewares, interiors, furniture, flooring, textiles - anything adjacent is a big plus)
- Confidence picking up the phone and opening doors from cold
- Commercial awareness - you understand margin, pricing and what drives buying decisions
- Strong relationship-building skills (you’re not just transactional)
- Self-motivation - you won’t need chasing to do the job
What You Might Not Like
- There’s no existing structure for this role - you’ll be helping shape it
- It’s a true new business role - rejection comes with the territory
- You’ll need resilience - not every retailer says yes first time
- It’s not a sit-back-and-manage role - it’s proactive, front-foot, and sometimes graft-heavy
What You’ll Get
- The chance to build something, not just maintain it
- Real autonomy and trust
- A business that’s growing and open to ideas
- Commission structure that rewards results (as it should)
What To Do Next
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys opening doors, building relationships and actually seeing the impact of what you bring in - this will suit you. Apply or get in touch for a confidential chat.
Sales and Business Development Executive in Peterborough employer: Quest Employment
Contact Detail:
Quest Employment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales and Business Development Executive in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Get proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, even if they’re not advertising roles. A friendly email or LinkedIn message can open doors that aren’t even on the radar yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, trade shows, and local meetups. These are golden opportunities to connect with potential employers and showcase your passion for business development in person.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a personal pitch that highlights your experience in building relationships and driving sales. Practice it until you can deliver it confidently in any situation, whether it’s a casual chat or a formal interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Tailor your application to reflect your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to building the retail channel from the ground up.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales and Business Development Executive in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sales and business development shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re genuinely excited about building something from the ground up with us.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in business development or field sales. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so showcase how your past roles have prepared you for this unique opportunity.
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. We value strong relationship-building skills, so let us see the real you! Share stories that demonstrate your resilience and self-motivation.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re proactive, which is exactly what we’re looking for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Employment
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, do your homework on the home, interiors, and furnishings market. Understand current trends, key players, and what retailers are looking for. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to building the retail channel.
✨Showcase Your Sales Skills
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in business development or sales. Be ready to discuss how you've identified new opportunities, built relationships, and closed deals. Use metrics to highlight your achievements, as numbers speak volumes in sales.
✨Demonstrate Resilience
Since this role involves a lot of cold outreach and potential rejection, be prepared to discuss how you handle setbacks. Share stories that illustrate your resilience and determination, showing that you’re not easily discouraged and can keep pushing forward.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Ask about the company's vision for the retail channel, what success looks like in this role, or how they support their business development team. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.