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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive strategic growth and develop new business opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact by building partnerships and driving innovation in the packaging sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or key account management is preferred.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on employee well-being and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Join Our Team at Smurfit Westrock! Shaping Growth. Building Partnerships. Driving Innovation.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Business Development Manager to join our high‑performing Sales Team at West Auckland. Reporting directly to the Sales Director, you will play a key role in driving strategic growth across the Northeast — leading on new business development while also managing a small portfolio of important existing customers. You’ll be the face of our organisation in the region, identifying opportunities, deepening partnerships, and positioning Smurfit Westrock as the preferred development partner for our clients. We’re ideally looking for someone with experience in the corrugated packaging sector, but we are equally keen to hear from candidates with a strong track record in winning new business and managing key accounts within a fast‑paced commercial environment.
About Us
We are a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging. Our focus is on the health and safety of our employees, the well-being of our communities, and delivering exceptional service to our customers. We support our team members to reach their full potential in an inclusive environment that values diversity.
The Role
You’ll focus on creating and converting high‑quality opportunities using a value‑based, consultative sales approach. Your goal? To deliver new business aligned to the West Auckland Sales Strategy, successfully integrate those customers into the wider business, and grow key accounts through insight, collaboration, and exceptional service.
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Sales Director to agree and deliver the regional sales strategy.
- Proactively identify, target, and win new business opportunities in line with growth objectives.
- Achieve agreed sales and profitability targets for new business development.
- Build strong, long‑term relationships with both new and existing key accounts.
- Develop a deep understanding of each customer’s business model to identify opportunities where Smurfit Westrock can deliver measurable value.
- Manage newly acquired accounts, ensuring a seamless onboarding experience and consistently high customer satisfaction.
- Contribute to marketing and promotional initiatives across the West Auckland site.
- Provide meaningful market insight on competitors, trends, and customer activity.
- Collaborate closely with the Sales Support and NPD teams to develop tailored solutions.
- Utilise CRM as an integral part of the sales process and follow our Value Selling methodology.
- Ensure compliance with company procedures and all Health & Safety requirements.
- Continuously seek opportunities to improve performance, processes, and ways of working.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Strong commercial and technical awareness, with the ability to articulate and deliver a multi‑layered sales offering.
- Solid financial understanding and the ability to interpret key business drivers.
- Proven commercial acumen and a customer‑centric mindset.
- Good understanding of relevant customer sectors and market dynamics.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary & benefits, including annual leave, pension, and a Cycle to Work scheme.
- Ongoing training and development opportunity.
- 24/7 confidential support for you and your family.
- Flexible working options and family-friendly policies.
- Guaranteed interview for candidates meeting essential criteria (Disability Confident Employer).
If you bring energy, ambition, and the determination to deliver results — along with the personal and technical skills to succeed — we would love to hear from you.
Smurfit Westrock reserve the right to only shortlist candidates who meet both the Essential and Desirable Criteria.
We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief; political opinion; race; age; sexual orientation; or, whether they are married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment. We practice equality of opportunity in employment and select the best person for the job.
Business Development Manager - West Auckland, Durham, DL14 9PE in Ravensworth employer: Smurfit Westrock UKI
Contact Detail:
Smurfit Westrock UKI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - West Auckland, Durham, DL14 9PE in Ravensworth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and come up with examples that showcase your skills in business development.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and helps keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining us. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - West Auckland, Durham, DL14 9PE in Ravensworth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in winning new business and managing key accounts, especially if you have a background in the corrugated packaging sector.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and built partnerships in previous roles, and don’t forget to mention your understanding of customer needs.
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your achievements with quantifiable results. Whether it’s sales targets met or successful projects led, we want to see how you’ve made an impact in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role as quickly as possible!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smurfit Westrock UKI
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Smurfit Westrock's business model and recent projects. Understanding their approach to sustainable packaging and how they position themselves in the market will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how you can contribute.
✨Showcase Your Success Stories
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully developed new business or managed key accounts in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewer to see your impact.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the industry. Inquire about their sales strategy for the Northeast or how they measure success in customer relationships. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in the company's future.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, highlight your experience in collaboration. Share examples of how you've worked with sales support or marketing teams to create tailored solutions, showcasing your ability to drive results through teamwork.