Business Development Administrator

Sanderson Design Group plc.; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanderson Design Group plc. is seeking a Business Development Administrator to support the Sales and Planning teams, ensuring smooth operations and timely project delivery.

This role will help coordinate information flow, manage Critical Path timelines, and support design and marketing in securing new business while maintaining current client relationships. You will work closely with planning, production and design teams, ensuring accurate data transfer, comprehensive records, and efficient

Qualifications

• Administrative, customer service or business development experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Sheets.
• Strong time-management and multi-tasking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with ERP software and business development tools.
• Knowledge of fabric bases and print methods is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate information flow between Sales and Planning teams to support bulk production.
• Manage Critical Path timings with Design and Planning teams.
• Liaise with Sales and customers about deadlines and ensure on-time delivery.
• Maintain customer collection sheets with up-to-date data and visuals.
• Coordinate archive reservations and ensure records are current.
• Develop new process for licensing agreements and archive usage.
• Manage design charge-out process; document quotes and sales orders.
• Attend weekly Design, Planning and Critical Path meetings.
• Draft disposal agreements and update customer contracts.
• Support ERP data entry for planning, sales and design teams.
• Assist Marketing with market research and lead generation.
• Handle customer inquiries and quality issues with solutions.
• Maintain filing systems and follow SOPs.
• Comply with Health and Safety requirements.

Skills

Administrative experience

Customer service

Microsoft Office

Google Sheets

Time-management

Verbal & written communication

ERP software

Business development tools

Fabric knowledge

Tools

ERP software

Business development tools

Job description

We're seeking a Business Development Administrator who will play a vital role in supporting the business development team, ensuring smooth operations, and contributing to the company’s growth. The role offers day-to-day support to the Sales and Planning teams, with responsibilities including co-ordination of information and data transfer. Excellent organisation and communication skills are essential in ensuring timings and Critical Paths are met and conform to the agreed requirements of the customer and the business. Providing the planning and production teams with all information required for bulk production and supporting sales and Design in securing new business and retaining our current customer base.

About Us:

Sanderson Design Group plc is a luxury interior design house, home to six iconic brands with over 165 years of history: Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Zoffany, Clarke & Clarke, and Scion. Our portfolio spans fabric, wallpaper, and paint, with manufacturing capabilities through Anstey and Standfast & Barracks. Our purpose is to ‘bring the beautiful into people’s homes and lives’ and we are the proud owner of one of Europe’s largest design archives, with over 75,000 historical documents and artworks. We also have a growing international licensing programme which supports our strategic global expansion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Raising sample instructions and controlling the intake of initial prints for the Design and Sales teams, to ensure a smooth transition into the business.
• Control the Critical Path process by determining timings with the Design team and communicating this with the planning team to ensure accurate and best delivery dates are attained.
• Liaise with the Sales team and customers regarding Critical Path deadlines and ensure that these are kept on track.
• Keep all customer collection sheets up to date with all relevant information and visual aids.
• Co-ordinate the archive reservations process to ensure accuracy, and that records are kept up to date.
• Design and implement a new process for licencing agreements and use of archive documents. Keep records and contact customers regarding the end of life of designs to ensure artwork returns to the S&B and Anstey archive.
• Co-ordinate and control the Design charge out process, ensuring all quotes are documented and sales orders are applied and invoiced through the NOW system.
• Attend weekly Design, Planning and Critical Path meetings.
• Writing disposal agreements and updating contracts with customers.
• Following and updating department SOPs.
• CFA submission on all initial prints and follow these up on approval.
• Support on all relevant ERP data entry for the planning, sales and design teams.
• Controlling the documentation of research and innovative ideas.
• Support the Design and Creative Marketing teams through market research and insight and suggestions of potential new customers.
• Dealing with customer enquiries and quality issues and providing solutions or points of contact for these.
• Filing systems to be kept organised and all SOPs are followed.
• To comply with all Health and Safety requirements.
• To carry out all other reasonable duties as requested.

Measures of Success.

• Maintain and nurture long-term relationships with clients and prospects
• Handling issues or challenges clients may face and provide appropriate solutions
• Business documents, contracts and meeting notes are prepared and maintained
• Ensure data, reports, and communication are accurate and well-prepared
• The sales team have all documents and data needed for travelling to business meetings
• All department SOPs are followed
• Deadlines are met and Critical Path systems are monitored, controlled and kept on track

Connecting with others:

• High standards of communication with customers in person and via email, Teams and phone
• Keeping very good levels of communication between departments throughout the business, to ensure workflow is efficient
• Ability to communicate with others at all levels of the business and across departments
• Clear and concise meeting notes
• Professional manner is always kept

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in an administrative, customer service or business development role is highly desirable
• Prior experience in a customer facing role
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Sheets
• Strong time-management skills and multi-tasking abilities
• Aptitude for learning new software and skills quickly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of different fabric bases and print methods
• Good knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with ERP software and business development tools

Values & Behaviours

• Intrepid: Take responsibility and learning from both success and challenges.
• Imaginative: Proactively seek solutions, make thoughtful decisions quickly and step forward with confidence.
• Respectful: Create a space for open conversations where everyone can share ideas and challenge each other with respect and care.