At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and grow B2B accounts in the companion-animal sector while winning new business.
- Company: Globally respected manufacturer with a premium reputation in the animal sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, company car, 25 days holiday, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Flexible home-based role with support and autonomy to manage your own diary.
- Why this job: Own a category with growth potential and represent trusted premium products.
- Qualifications: Experience in sales or account management, preferably in grooming or veterinary sectors.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Home-based, ideally Midlands or Central England. National UK territory. £40,000–£45,000 + bonus + company car.
The Animal People are incredibly proud to have been selected as the exclusive recruitment partner for this fantastic new client and to launch our first search together. Our client is a globally respected manufacturer with an outstanding reputation for premium products across the animal sector. With an established UK customer base and exciting plans for growth, they’re now looking for a Business Development Manager to take ownership of their companion-animal category.
This is not a rigid territory sales role. You’ll have the freedom to manage your own diary, build meaningful customer relationships and influence the future direction of the division.
THE OPPORTUNITY
You’ll manage and develop an established portfolio of approximately 34 B2B accounts while opening new opportunities across professional dog grooming and veterinary wholesale. The professional grooming market will be your main focus, working with groomers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers and grooming academies. You’ll also develop opportunities with veterinary wholesalers, buying groups and larger veterinary organisations.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing existing accounts and identifying further growth opportunities
- Winning new business across professional grooming and veterinary wholesale
- Delivering product demonstrations and customer training
- Increasing brand awareness across salons, academies and distributors
- Representing the business at trade shows, grooming competitions and industry events
- Monitoring competitor activity and sharing market insight
- Creating a clear and sustainable growth plan for the category
- Helping to identify opportunities for future product development
- Working closely with the National Sales Manager and wider UK team
THE PRODUCTS
You’ll represent a premium portfolio that includes clippers, trimmers, blades, comb guards, blade-care products, professional shampoos and grooming accessories. You’ll also have the opportunity to recommend new products and influence future additions to the range based on customer demand and commercial potential.
ABOUT YOU
We’re looking for someone who combines commercial drive with warmth, credibility and a genuine understanding of the customer. You’re likely to bring:
- Proven success in field sales, business development, account management or territory growth
- Experience within professional grooming, pet, animal health, veterinary or companion-animal sales
- The confidence to demonstrate technical products and train customers
- Experience developing existing accounts and securing new business
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to manage opportunities from prospecting through to close
- Excellent relationship-building, presentation and communication skills
- The organisation and motivation to manage a national territory independently
- A full UK driving licence
Existing relationships within the professional dog-grooming market would be highly valuable. However, we’re also interested in talented people from adjacent markets who understand distributor or wholesale sales and can quickly develop the necessary product knowledge.
LOCATION AND WORKING PATTERN
This is a genuinely home and field-based position with no regular head-office requirement. The successful person can be based flexibly, although the Midlands or Central England would offer the most practical access to customers across the UK. You’ll be trusted to manage your own diary and travel according to customer needs. The business doesn’t expect you to spend five days a week on the road unnecessarily. Occasional attendance at the North Yorkshire head office will be required for meetings, training and the annual team stocktake. There may also be infrequent travel to Northern Ireland or Ireland.
ONBOARDING AND SUPPORT
You won’t simply be handed a laptop and expected to get on with it. Your onboarding will include:
- An initial three to four days at head office
- An introduction to the UK team, business and operational processes
- Comprehensive product and technical training
- Demonstration stock to help you learn the portfolio
- Customer visits alongside the National Sales Manager
- Direct access to experienced product and warehouse specialists
- Continued support while you build confidence and take ownership of the territory
TARGETS AND DEVELOPMENT
Your KPIs will be commercially meaningful and achievable, covering category growth, new accounts and priority products. They’ll be discussed and agreed with you, ensuring you understand and believe in the targets you’re working towards. This is a genuine category-ownership opportunity. You’ll be encouraged to bring ideas, explore new routes to market and recommend products that could strengthen the range.
THE PACKAGE
£40,000–£45,000 basic salary, with potential flexibility for an exceptional candidate. Achievable performance-related bonus. Company car, with a degree of choice based on practical requirements. 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays. Pension. Laptop and mobile phone. Comprehensive product training. Home and field-based working. Attendance at leading industry events. Genuine ownership of an established category with significant growth potential.
WHY CONSIDER IT?
This is an opportunity to represent premium products that customers already know and trust while putting your own stamp on a division with real potential. You’ll join a supportive and down-to-earth UK team that values autonomy, sensible travel and honest communication. You’ll be trusted to manage the territory, influence the product range and build the category as though it were your own business. Apply today or contact Katie Fletcher at The Animal People for a confidential conversation.
Business Development Manager - National employer: The Animal People Recruitment Careers
Join a respected premium pet brand in Staffordshire as a Trade & Brand Marketing Manager, where you'll enjoy a vibrant work culture that values collaboration and innovation. With a focus on employee growth, the company offers professional development opportunities, generous benefits including hybrid working, and a pet-friendly office environment. This role provides the unique chance to lead impactful marketing initiatives while directly influencing the brand's future, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about the pet industry.
Contact Details:
The Animal People Recruitment Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - National
✨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 - National at The Animal People Recruitment Careers, 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 The Animal People Recruitment Careers. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Business Development Manager - National. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - National
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 The Animal People Recruitment Careers:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for The Animal People Recruitment Careers. 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 The Animal People Recruitment Careers
✨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 The Animal People Recruitment Careers 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 The Animal People Recruitment Careers 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 The Animal People Recruitment Careers’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.
