Business Development- Category Lead (General Building Materials)

Tribus People Recruitment; Exeter; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Business Development - Category Lead in Exeter, UK. This role focuses on driving commercial growth within the General Building Products division, requiring a deep understanding of building materials and strong relationships with industry stakeholders. Candidates should have proven performance in developing new business and negotiating key partnerships. Ideal for a proactive individual eager to influence the construction industry and secure significant market share.

Qualifications

• Experience in building materials sector is essential.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation abilities.
• Track record in securing new business.

Responsibilities

• Identify and win new customer accounts.
• Develop a robust pipeline in various construction sectors.
• Build strong relationships with manufacturers and distributors.

Skills

Knowledge of general building materials

Strong relationship-building abilities

Negotiation skills

Ability to interpret product specifications

Proactive mindset

Job description

Business Development - Category Lead (General Building Materials)

Role Summary

This role leads the commercial growth and strategic development of the General Building Products division. This is a broad, high‑volume category supporting multiple phases of construction, from structural works through to internal fit‑out and finishing.

The ideal candidate combines strong knowledge of general building materials with well‑established relationships across merchants, contractors, and manufacturers, and can build a competitive range that delivers both commercial value and reliability of supply.

Required Sector Experience (Essential)

• Bricks, blocks, and masonry units
• Mortars, renders, and plaster
• Plasterboard, drywall, and partition systems
• Fixings, fasteners, and building sundries
• Thermal and acoustic insulation materials
• Timber, sheet materials (plywood, MDF, OSB), and structural ancillaries
• Fire protection boards and associated products

Experience working with

• Housebuilders, main contractors, or fit‑out contractors
• Manufacturers of building materials or structural components

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Growth & New Business

• Identify and win new customer accounts across builders, developers, main contractors, interior fit‑out specialists, and general construction firms.
• Develop a robust pipeline across housebuilding, refurbishment, commercial construction, and public‑sector projects.
• Build strong relationships with manufacturers and distributors of cementitious products, masonry materials, plasterboard systems, insulation, timber, and structural products.
• Conduct supplier site visits to review production capability, quality standards, stockholding, and logistics reliability.
• Negotiate pricing structures, rebates, terms, and exclusivity opportunities.

Category Development

• Develop a scalable and commercially competitive product range aligned to demand across structural works, internal partitions, drylining, insulation, timber, and general building essentials.
• Identify missing ranges and recommend new products based on margin potential, compliance gaps, and customer demand.
• Monitor trends such as off‑site construction, new insulation technologies, and fire safety regulation changes.
• Gather insights on availability issues (e.g., cement shortages, plasterboard supply), competitor pricing, seasonal peaks, and emerging building regulations.
• Provide structured data and feedback to inform purchasing, pricing, and category expansion.

Field Representation

• Represent the General Building Products category at trade shows, supplier open days, merchant events, and contractor visits.
• Engage directly with installers and site managers to understand usage patterns, challenges, and opportunities to simplify procurement.

Attributes & Skills

• Deep credibility in general building materials and construction supply chains.
• Strong hunter mindset with a track record of securing significant new business.
• Able to interpret building product specifications, fire ratings, insulation values, fixings requirements, and installation methods.
• Commercially sharp, negotiation‑focused, and margin‑aware.
• Comfortable managing a wide product portfolio covering both heavy and light building materials.
• Field‑driven, proactive, and confident travelling UK‑wide to develop supplier and customer relationships.

Sound interesting? Apply today.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Construction