At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage and convert industrial customers through proactive prospecting and structured sales processes.
- Company: Safetykleen, a global leader in parts cleaning solutions with over 50 years of experience.
- Benefits: Private healthcare, life assurance, enhanced parental pay, and gym discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic field-based role with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the planet while building strong customer relationships.
- Qualifications: Proven new business development experience and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 43335 - 52965 £ per year.
Location: Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
About the Role
Our Parts Cleaning Expert is a high-activity, field-based new business role focused on identifying, engaging, and converting predominantly industrial SME customers within an assigned territory - helping customers operate more safely, efficiently, and responsibly. You’ll spend your time in the field: converting warm leads, prospecting proactively, running structured customer meetings, and progressing opportunities through a defined sales process - from first contact to close. Success in the role depends on disciplined prospecting, structured sales execution against a market leading methodology, and the ability to clearly articulate technical and value-led propositions.
You’ll build strong, in-person working relationships across your Safetykleen network, partnering closely, in-person, with branch and support teams to ensure clear communication, joined-up working, and a consistently strong service for customers. Your mission: build a strong new-customer pipeline, win new business consistently, and represent Safetykleen with professionalism and integrity - helping make our planet safer and cleaner while giving customers peace of mind.
Imagine working for a company where your role actually matters for the planet. We’re Safetykleen - a world leader with over 50 years’ experience across 15 countries, empowering global businesses to keep their critical operations safer and cleaner. We deliver parts-cleaning solutions that help customers lower energy consumption and operate more responsibly for the environment. Your ideas matter in a culture built on Respect and Winning Together. Your work directly contributes to a cleaner planet. And while we operate on a global scale, the real power of our business lives in our branches. Our people are the heart of our mission.
The Package
- Private healthcare (role/country dependent)
- Life assurance x3 salary
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with 24/7 confidential support
- Access to wellbeing and gym discounts (e.g. Virgin Active, Gymflex – where applicable)
- Ongoing training and development, with opportunities to grow your career across Safetykleen
What you’ll be doing
- Winning new customers in the field - converting qualified appointments and warm leads into new customers through confident, professional conversations.
- Creating opportunity through proactive prospecting - using outbound calling, networking, and proactive site visits to build consistent new customer acquisition.
- Following a structured sales execution - delivering first appointments, site assessments, surveys, demos, proposals, and business cases to identify cleaning, safety, compliance, and value led opportunities.
- Progressing opportunities with pace and discipline - following a consistent sales process with clear next steps from first contact to close.
- Building a strong daily rhythm - planning and managing daily field activity to maximise productivity and keep momentum high across your territory.
- Working smarter with AI/CRM and protecting standards - using AI/CRM tools to prioritise and qualify leads, maximise field time, handle objections confidently and keep CRM up to date for clear pipeline visibility and a professional customer experience.
About You
You’re a proven new business developer who thrives in the field, owning a B2B territory where targets matter and momentum counts. You create opportunities through disciplined prospecting and smart qualification, building a pipeline that converts. You’re credible in industrial/technical environments and confident running the full sales cycle - first appointment, assessment, proposal, and close - with pace and purpose. You’re data-led, using CRM and modern sales tools to prioritise activity, manage pipeline, and forecast accurately. You’re resilient, high-energy, and self-managing, with the integrity to represent Safetykleen professionally at every customer touchpoint.
Field-based, majority - new sales experience with consistent target delivery. Strong new business generation and structured sales execution. Confident, tenacious, and results-focused. Full UK driving licence (essential).
Business Development Manager in Bedford employer: Safetykleen
Safetykleen in Dinnington is an excellent employer that fosters a high-performance culture, providing a dynamic and supportive environment for its employees. With a strong focus on career progression based on results, team members are encouraged to develop their skills and achieve their professional goals. The hybrid work model offers flexibility, making it an attractive place for motivated individuals looking to thrive in their careers while contributing to the company's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Bedford
✨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 Safetykleen, 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 Safetykleen. 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 Bedford
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 Safetykleen:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Safetykleen. 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 Safetykleen
✨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 Safetykleen 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 Safetykleen 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 Safetykleen’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.
