Business Development Manager
Attractive Salary, Company Car, Bonus & Benefits
36.5 Hour week 
Field based role - Southwest, South East

Who are we?
At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,000 staff and have been placed 4th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2023.

We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live. Our leaders care about employees and our employees succeed together and celebrate the success of others. We are interested in your aspirations, interests and skills and we strive to support and inspire you to do well.

A look into the role
Henderson Wholesale is a leading Wholesaler in Northern Ireland and supplies goods to over 450 stores across various brands such as SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO. We source from local farmers, growers and producers and are proud to contribute to our local economy and environment.

We achieved Gold accreditation against the Investors in People standard framework in 2023 in recognition of people management excellence and our commitment to investment in people.

The purpose of the role:
Reporting to the Regional Sales Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing support and guidance to a group of independent retailers within the Independent ViVO estate. Main responsibilities will include advising on promotional activity, range-review, store layout and operational effectiveness.

The primary objective will be to grow retailer profit through margin management, turnover growth, and cost control while maximising business available to Henderson Wholesale.

Working as Business Development Manager you will: 

• Participate in in-store projects to enhance business development.

• Set goals, monitor customer performance, and implement measurable business plans using KPIs.

• Manage customer loyalty, ensuring product purchases align with sales targets.

• Ensure sales to independent customers meet quarterly and yearly targets.

• Work with Retail Services to carefully manage retail development projects.

• Advise customers on systems for maximum gross profit.

• Recruitment of new stores.

• Establish and maintain customer care and service levels.

Skills for Success

Joining us as Business Development Manager the minimum criteria you’ll need is: 

• 3 years’ experience within the FMCG sector at either store/assistant store manager level OR at an account management level

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate strong relationship-building skills combined with a flair for business development.

• Proficiency in using MS Office packages.

• Experience of achieving budgets and targets

• Experience maximising business development opportunities

• Influencing and negotiating skills

• Valid UK/EU Driving license

The Attributes you’ll need include:

• Excellent communication skills

• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers and colleagues.

• Self-motivated and ambitious individual

• Customer-focused mindset

• Team player

It is Desirable if you have:

• A third level qualification in a relevant area •

• An understanding of the Northern Ireland convenience retail market

• Experience with retail management accounts

• Experience of cold calling, building external networks and recruitment of new customers

Are we right for you?

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.

Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.

Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities

Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.

Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners.

You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success.
Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.

Benefits include market competitive salary, company car, bonus, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Perks Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Flexibility is required with regards to hours of work and travel across Northern Ireland.

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Tuesday 30th April 2024

We are an equal opportunities employer.