Graduate Business Development Executive in Southampton

• Structured 6-month Sales Academy

Southampton | £28,000-£30,000 Basic Salary + Uncapped Bonus + Guaranteed Salary Review After 6 Months, Regular Pay Rises Upon Hitting Targets

Launch Your Career In B2B Sales

Are you graduating this year or recently completed your degree and looking for a career where your success is based on your ambition rather than time served?

We're looking for an ambitious Graduate Business Development Executive to join one of the UK's leading specialist metal distributors. You'll receive structured sales training, work alongside experienced mentors, and build relationships with customers across industries including aerospace, Formula 1, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and renewable energy.

This is more than just a graduate job; it's the first step towards a long-term career in commercial sales and leadership.

What You'll Receive

• £28,000 starting salary - this can go up regularly upon hitting targets
• Uncapped bonus
• Guaranteed salary review after successfully completing probation
• Structured 6-month Sales Academy
• Ongoing coaching and mentoring from experienced sales professionals
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension
• All business travel expenses paid
• Regular company social events
• Clear career progression with promotion based on performance

About The Role

As a Graduate Business Development Executive, you'll develop your own customer portfolio across the south coast, helping manufacturers source specialist metal products used in some of the UK's most demanding industries.

From your first week, you'll receive practical training in business development, customer relationship management, and commercial sales while working alongside experienced colleagues who will support your development.

As your confidence grows, you'll take ownership of your own accounts, build long-term customer relationships, and be rewarded through an uncapped bonus structure.

What You'll Be Doing

• Identifying new business opportunities and speaking with potential customers
• Building relationships through phone, email, LinkedIn, and customer visits
• Understanding customer requirements and recommending suitable products
• Preparing quotations and negotiating commercial agreements
• Managing and growing your own portfolio of customer accounts
• Keeping your sales pipeline organized using our CRM system
• Working towards achievable sales and activity targets with ongoing coaching

Full Sales Training Provided

You're not need previous sales experience.

The Sales Academy is designed to give graduates everything they need to succeed, including:

• Business development and prospecting
• Consultative selling
• Customer relationship management
• Commercial negotiation
• Pipeline management
• Product and industry knowledge
• Sales coaching and mentoring

What We're Looking For

We're interested in attitude and potential more than previous experience.

You'll Ideally Have

• A degree in any discipline (preferred)
• Excellent communication skills
• Confidence speaking with new people
• A motivated and ambitious mindset
• Strong organization and attention to detail
• A genuine desire to build a long-term career in sales
• A full UK driving licence

Career Progression

Our client believes in promoting from within.

Successful GBDEs can progress through a clearly defined career pathway:

GBDE's → Senior Sales Executive → Team Leader → Sales Manager → Service Centre Manager

Many of their senior leaders started their careers in sales and progressed through the business by consistently delivering results.