Business Development Manager (Midlands & North of England)

£45-55K + Annual Bonus + Car Allowance + Other BenefitsAbout goplasticpallets.comHeadquartered in Eastbourne in East Sussex, goplasticpallets.com is the UK’s leading provider of sustainable plastic pallets, pallet boxes, crates and trays. Our mission is to help create greener supply chains by offering our customers the UK’s largest range of innovative, sustainable solutions.We are proud to be the sole UK distributor to Europe’s leading pallet manufacturers - and therefore the quality of the products we offer is unparalleled. We supply tailor-made solutions to a wide number of key industries, including food and agriculture, manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceutical, retail and many more.Sustainability is deeply ingrained across every aspect of our business, demonstrated by the launch of our pioneering recycling scheme in 2019 - and to date, we’ve recycled over 1,591 tonnes of plastic. In addition, 93% of our plastic pallets are made from 100% recycled materials.About the roleAs part of our fast-paced growth plans, we are now looking for a Business Development Manager who will collaborate closely with our internal Sales Team and Directors.The successful candidate will be responsible for visiting existing clients and identifying and developing new potential clients throughout the Midlands and North of England. The role involves spending most of the week building relationships with businesses across a variety of industries - including food, retail, ecommerce, logistics and distribution, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, beverages, and FMCG manufacturing, with the goal of increasing sales.While there are some existing accounts and a large database of contacts and inbound enquiries to follow up on, the primary focus will be on developing new business opportunities in sectors where repeat orders are less frequent. There will be a requirement to visit our office in Eastbourne for 2 days every 3 weeks – otherwise the role is remote.This position is ideal for someone with prior experience in the logistics and supply chain industries, particularly with a strong understanding of warehousing and various automated systems.Responsibilities·
Travel across the UK to visit existing and potential clients.·
Understand and discuss clients' product needs, recommending suitable solutions.·
Prepare and send quotations via email and post using company software.·
Maintain detailed records of all enquiries, meetings, and interactions in the database throughout the sales process.·
Follow up on quotes and turn enquiries into confirmed orders.·
Negotiate prices and contracts within established guidelines.·
Highlight the company's USPs, including our innovative product range, stock availability, and rapid delivery service.·
Actively promote the company’s responsible market position.·
Developing further prospective clients through cross selling within sites, companies and industries – by asking for referrals and by drop in visits when attending meetings.·
Collaborate with Sales Representatives from our European suppliers and, when required, carry out joint visits in the UK when technical support is needed.·
Participate in and assist with the company’s attendance at various exhibitions.Key criteria·
A minimum of 5 years of face-to-face B2B sales experience, preferably in related products, with a highly professional presentation and a positive, can-do attitude.·
A clean driving license is essential.·
Extensive knowledge of MS Office programmes and a good understanding of IT.·
Proficient in using CRM systems and other sales-related software.·
Great commercial awareness and experience in negotiating contracts at the highest levels.·
Solid understanding of the logistics and supply chain industries, including warehousing and the use of automated systems.·
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships at all levels.·
Ability to travel extensively across the Midlands and North of England.·
Strong negotiation skills and the ability to close deals.·
Ability to work independently and manage your own schedule effectively.