Business development manager UK&I

Reports to: Executive director business development & sales

Location: Birmingham

Contract Type: Permanent

Introduction to role

The Business Development Manager (BDM) plays a key role in identifying, developing, and transferring new business opportunities. By sharing market insights and collaborating with Marketing and Sales.

Role Responsibilities

The Business Development Manager will contributes to generate high-quality leads and increasing brand awareness. This role is essential in shaping Vanderlande’s future and driving sustainable growth.

Your responsibilities and activities will include:

• Execute strategic business development initiatives within the warehousing sector
• Proactively seek out new business opportunities and drive lead generation
• Develop a target account list within designated verticals, segmented by Vanderlande’s solutions
• Provide preliminary high-level ROM submittals until formal handoff to Sales
• Build and maintain strong relationships with potential clients, partners, and external consultants
• Engage early with senior customer decision-makers to position Vanderlande’s value
• Identify stakeholders within prospects and evaluate their role in the buying process
• Ensure smooth handover of leads to Sales and Sales Engineering teams
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to shape business development strategies
• Identify market trends and opportunities and translate them into actionable strategies
• Provide thought leadership and collaborate with Marketing to address market gaps
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to generate and qualify MQL/SQL leads
• Elevate brand awareness and drive interest in Vanderlande’s solutions
• Participate in trade shows, events, and networking opportunities for prospecting
• Manage targeted lead generation events and digital campaigns
• Design optimized channel and vertical structures for maximum market coverage
• Develop and implement integrator partner programs to support growth
• Coach and mentor colleagues within the Business Development team
• Promote continuous development through training, mentoring, and job rotation
• Exhibit leadership by indirectly managing people to achieve BD goals

Role Qualification and Skills

• Strong commercial acumen, including ROI, payback period, and NPV calculations
• Experience building sales pipelines in complex B2B environments
• Ability to visit customer sites, identify opportunities, and engage with senior leaders
• Strong networking skills and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Strategic mindset with a focus on long‑term growth
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and results‑oriented
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple objectives
• Proficiency in market research and translating insights into strategy
• Digital Marketing & Communications
• Ownership of demand generation through digital tools, email, and social media
• Develop solution‑specific campaigns to maximize customer engagement
• Optimize digital experience through website, social media, and marketing technology
• Drive transition from traditional media to interactive digital communications

What we offer

• 28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)

• Bupa Medical Cover
• YuLife – Wellbeing membership with fast access to GP appointments, promotion of health and wellbeing along with daily quests to gain Yucoins that can be swapped for shopping vouchers
• A challenging work environment with lots of opportunities of career progression.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Yellow Nest is a salary exchange scheme that reduces childcare costs for parents and employers
• Pension with Aviva
• Access to Achievers an award‑winning recognition platform that inspires to recognise your coworkers Where points are awarded that can be exchanged for a range of goods and discounts.

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age marital status or disability status. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, we are always happy to discuss or explore, any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.