At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business growth in DIY retail and trade distribution across the UK.
- Company: Join Catnic, a leader in steel lintels and building components with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, extensive holidays, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with excellent training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a key player in expanding our market presence and making impactful connections.
- Qualifications: Proven success in winning new business and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
- Job Title
- Business Development Manager Retail & Buying Groups (UK Wide)
- Location
- UK Location Flexible but will have UK wide responsibilities with clients
- Department
- Catnic — Steel Lintels & Building Components (Bead, Mesh & Metalwork)
- Salary
- Competitive + Commission + Annual Bonus
- Closing Date
- Monday 27th July 2026
Catnic is expanding its retail and buying group channel and we are looking for a commercially driven, new‑business specialist to lead this growth.
If you thrive on winning new listings, displacing competitors, and building long‑term commercial relationships across DIY retail and trade distribution, this role is ideal for you.
Catnic has pioneered steel lintels and building components for five generations.
Our products are manufactured in the UK to exacting standards and specified across residential and commercial developments nationwide.
We are now accelerating our channel presence in
B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation, Selco , and other major UK buying groups — and we need a Business Development Manager who can open doors, build pipelines, and convert.
What you will be doing
- New Business Hunter Mentality
- You proactively identify, target, and convert new stockists. You’re energised by prospecting and comfortable operating in a hunting‑led environment.
- Sector Knowledge & Credibility
- You understand building products, construction materials, or adjacent distribution channels — and can speak the language of merchants and buying groups from day one.
- Relationship Builder
- You build trust quickly with depot managers, buyers, procurement directors, and retail trading teams. You know how to open doors and keep them open.
- Collaborative Team Player
- You work independently but integrate seamlessly with the wider commercial team — sharing intelligence, aligning on territory, and supporting a consistent commercial approach.
- Commercial Acumen & Structured Activity
- You qualify opportunities, build a disciplined pipeline, manage CRM activity, and convert structured commercial plans into measurable revenue outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
As a new role the Business Development Manager (Retail & Buying Groups) is responsible for growing Catnic's presence in the DIY retail and trade distribution channels — winning new stockists, displacing competitors on shelf, and securing listings with UK buying groups.
The role combines structured account management with active hunting: identifying opportunities, building a pipeline, and converting.
- New Business Development
- Identify, target, and convert new stockist opportunities across DIY retail, trade counters, and other buying groups.
- Build and maintain a structured, qualified prospect pipeline with clear next actions.
- Lead commercial negotiations for new listings — ranging, pricing, promotions, and terms.
- Develop category arguments and data packs that give buyers a compelling reason to range Catnic.
- Account Management & Growth
- Own commercial relationships as the commercial lead for accounts including B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation, Selco, and other major UK buying groups.
- Deliver business reviews, category insight, and forward trading plans.
- Drive range extensions and incremental listings.
- Monitor sell‑through, stock levels, and promotional performance.
- Commercial Planning & Reporting
- Produce accurate forecasts and account plans grounded in real data.
- Maintain clean, current CRM and opportunity records.
- Report weekly pipeline status to the Head of Commercial.
- Support pricing strategy and promotional planning.
- Track competitor activity, pricing moves, and range changes.
- Provide structured intelligence to commercial and product teams.
- Identify gaps in Catnic’s product range and recommend new SKUs.
What you will have
- Proven track record of winning new business in DIY retail or trade distribution.
- Experience managing or selling into B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation, Selco, or buying groups.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability.
- Disciplined pipeline management and confident presentation skills.
- Comfortable using data to build commercial arguments.
- Success will be measured in new listings won, revenue growth, and margin maintained — not activity volume.
- UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
- Experience in building products, fixings, hardware, or adjacent categories.
- Familiarity with buying group structures (e. g., Fortis, NBG).
- Understanding of UK housebuilding and residential construction markets.
- Experience managing ranges through retailer planogram cycles.
For a full job description or if you’d like an informal discussion, please contact: sue. robinson@tatasteeleurope. com
What we can offer you
Tata Steel UK offers their employees significant benefits packages. For this role, you will benefit from:
- A market competitive salary
- 35 days holidays per annum
- Annual Pay Review
- Bonus Scheme – subject to business performance
- Ongoing Tata Steel training, which has built a reputation as one of the best within the industry
- One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)
We also have an extensive list of lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all of our sites, an employee assistance programme as well as Employee discount scheme for companies including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and also various local services.
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Business Development Manager employer: Tata Steel UK
Tata Steel UK is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at their Trostre Works in Wales, where innovation meets safety in high voltage engineering. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance of 35 days, and a strong pension scheme, all while being part of a collaborative culture that prioritises professional growth and compliance excellence. Join us to lead impactful projects and shape the future of electrical distribution networks in a supportive and forward-thinking team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
✨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 Tata Steel UK, 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 Tata Steel UK. 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
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 Tata Steel UK:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Tata Steel UK. 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 Tata Steel UK
✨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 Tata Steel UK 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 Tata Steel UK 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 Tata Steel UK’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.
