At a Glance
- Tasks: Attract and onboard top sellers to enhance customer choice and boost marketplace performance.
- Company: Join Sainsbury’s, a leading retailer with a commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, health plans, and a performance-related bonus.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth across various departments and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or sales, with strong communication and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
In a nutshell, the Seller Acquisition Lead is responsible for attracting, evaluating, and onboarding high‑quality third‑party sellers that enhance customer choice, strengthen category growth, and improve Marketplace performance. They will develop and execute an acquisition strategy that brings in the right sellers, delivers friction‑free onboarding, and aligns with the wider marketplace strategy.
What I am accountable for:
- Identify and target high‑potential sellers aligned to growth categories and Marketplace objectives.
- Develop and pitch compelling outreach campaigns and value propositions that attract sellers to the platform.
- Assess seller suitability through commercial, operational, and compliance evaluations to ensure high-quality onboarding.
- Coordinate cross‑functional onboarding processes, ensuring sellers progress smoothly from contract to go‑live.
- Implement scalable tools, processes, and documentation that simplify seller activation and reduce onboarding friction.
- Produce regular performance reports outlining acquisition pipeline health, channel performance, and seller conversion metrics.
- Recommend improvements to acquisition strategy based on data insights, market trends, and seller feedback.
- Manage relationships with external acquisition partners and internal stakeholders to accelerate growth.
- Review and iterate the seller onboarding journey to continually improve seller experience and reduce time‑to‑activation.
- Analyse market trends and competitor activity to inform business development strategy.
- Communicate regularly with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and progress.
- Own and maintain all materials to support seller acquisition.
Key Performance Measures:
- Number and quality of new sellers/partners onboarded.
- Revenue and GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) generated from new business.
- Seller and partner pipeline conversion rates and time-to-sign.
- Seller and partner satisfaction and retention rates.
- Contribution to overall marketplace growth targets.
- Range coverage in target categories.
- Team satisfaction survey scores.
What I need to know:
Essential:
- Proven experience in business development, sales, or partner acquisition roles within ecommerce, retail, or digital marketplaces.
- Strong understanding of digital retail, third‑party seller models, and online category dynamics.
- Knowledge of ecommerce platforms, seller ecosystems, and marketplace dynamics.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to interpret data to identify opportunities and make commercial decisions.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
- Proven experience influencing cross‑functional teams to deliver business outcomes.
Desirable:
- Experience in seller acquisition, new business development, or seller onboarding roles within a Retail Marketplace environment.
- Knowledge of regulatory frameworks relevant to eCommerce sellers (product safety, VAT, compliance).
- Familiarity with CRM tools, seller‑management platforms, or workflow tools.
- Experience working with external acquisition partners and channel managers.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working.
When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
- Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU, and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year.
- We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover.
- You may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 10% of salary, depending on how we perform.
- You’ll receive an annual holiday allowance and you can buy up to an additional week's holiday.
- We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance (where you can access some of your pay before payday), as well as access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers.
- There is also an employee assistance programme available if needed.
- We give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Business Development Executive in London employer: Sainsbury's
At Sainsbury's, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer that values your growth and well-being. As a Business Development Executive, you'll thrive in a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration across departments, while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package including generous discounts, flexible working options, and robust career development opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment that celebrates your contributions and fosters your professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Executive in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Business Development Executive role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past successes in business development. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this to demonstrate how you can attract and onboard high-quality sellers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like Sainsbury’s, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on market trends and eCommerce dynamics. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show potential employers that you're genuinely passionate about the industry. Plus, we’ve got loads of resources on our website to help you out!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Executive in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Executive role. Highlight your relevant experience in business development, sales, or partner acquisition, and show how it aligns with our goals at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Skills:We want to see your strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills shine through. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully managed projects and influenced cross-functional teams.
Be Data-Driven:Since interpreting data is key for this role, include instances where you've used data insights to make decisions or improve processes. This will show us that you can identify opportunities and drive results effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Know Your Sellers
Before the interview, research the types of sellers that the company typically works with. Understand their needs and how your skills can help attract and onboard them effectively. This will show your genuine interest in the role and your proactive approach.
✨Master the Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to seller acquisition, such as conversion rates and time-to-sign. Be prepared to discuss how you would use data insights to improve these metrics. This demonstrates your analytical skills and commercial acumen.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves managing relationships with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced cross-functional teams in the past, as this will highlight your communication prowess.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific challenges in seller acquisition or onboarding. Think through your strategies for overcoming friction in the onboarding process and be ready to share your ideas. This will showcase your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.
