Business Development Executive - 1 Year FTC

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is seeking a Business Development Executive for a 1-year fixed-term contract. The role is field-based across an assigned territory, visiting independent retailers and wholesalers to grow Lucozade, Ribena, Orangina and other brands.

You will be out in the market, building relationships, uncovering opportunities, and delivering measurable sales results. A drive for commercial success and the ability to work independently are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and relationship-building with customers.
• Proactive, resilient and able to take initiative.
• Motivated by objectives and measurable results.
• Able to organise time, visits and priorities.
• Curious about customers, shoppers and the FMCG market.
• Comfortable using digital tools and Microsoft Office.
• Good numerical skills and willing to learn territory finance.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with existing and new customers.
• Grow presence and sales of Suntory brands in your territory.
• Increase distribution, availability and visibility of products.
• Present the right range and launches to customers.
• Execute promotions and improve point-of-sale visibility.
• Develop simple business plans to drive growth.
• Monitor sales performance using data to prioritise work.
• Own territory performance across sales, product mix and profitability.
• Collaborate with Sales, National Accounts, Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship building

Proactive

Resilient

Time management

Numerical skills

Driving licence

Curious about FMCG

Learn quickly

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Business Development Executive | 1-Year FTC

Ideal location: Manchester, Liverpool or West London

Field-based role covering an assigned territory

Do you enjoy being out in the market, building relationships and seeing the direct impact of your work?

Are you looking to grow your commercial career while representing some of the UK’s best-known drinks brands?

Suntory is a fast-moving, agile and entrepreneurial business behind some of the nation’s most loved drinks.

As part of the Suntory Group, one of the world’s leading consumer products companies, we offer a diverse portfolio of beverages enjoyed by millions of people across the globe.

At Suntory, you will have the opportunity to learn from talented colleagues, take ownership of your development and bring your ideas and personality to work.

About you

You are someone who enjoys being close to customers and understanding what makes their business tick.

You may already have some experience in sales, retail, hospitality or customer service, or this could be one of your first steps into a commercial career. Either way, what really matters is your energy, curiosity and willingness to learn.

You are comfortable working independently, meeting new customers and spotting opportunities to improve sales and product visibility.

You also:

• Have strong communication skills and enjoy building relationships.
• Are proactive, resilient and comfortable taking the initiative.
• Feel motivated by objectives and seeing measurable results.
• Can organise your own time, customer visits and priorities.
• Are curious about customers, shoppers and the FMCG market.
• Are comfortable using digital tools and Microsoft Office.
• Have good numerical skills and are willing to learn about managing the financial performance of a territory.
• Hold a valid driving licence, as this is a field-based role.

A degree or equivalent qualification is welcome, but we are equally interested in the skills, potential and experience you can bring.

As a Business Development Executive, you will take ownership of your own territory, visiting independent retailers, convenience stores, wholesalers and Out of Home Foodservice customers across your assigned area.

Your mission will be to grow the presence and sales of some of our best-known brands, including Lucozade Energy, Lucozade Sport, Ribena and Orangina.

You will:

• Build trusted relationships with existing and potential customers.
• Understand what each customer needs and identify opportunities to grow their business and ours.
• Increase the distribution, availability and visibility of Suntory products.
• Present the right range of products and new launches to each customer.
• Execute promotional plans and make sure our brands stand out at the point of sale.
• Develop simple business plans to support sustainable customer growth.
• Monitor sales performance and use data to decide where to focus your time.
• Take ownership of your territory’s performance, including sales, product mix and profitability.
• Work closely with Sales, National Account, Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain teams.

In short, you will make things happen in your territory.

Around 80% of your time will be focused on customers, so this is a great opportunity for someone who wants to develop commercial skills where the action happens.

• A 12-month fixed-term contract where you can gain valuable, hands-on FMCG experience.
• Ownership of your own territory and customer relationships.
• A varied, field-based role where no two days are the same.
• The opportunity to represent brands recognised and enjoyed by millions of consumers.
• Practical experience in sales, negotiation and customer development.
• Support from experienced Sales and cross-functional teams.
• The chance to learn how to manage a territory as your own business.
• A role where your ideas, initiative and results can make a visible difference.
• A valuable opportunity to strengthen your profile and continue building your commercial career.
• A genuine interest in sales, customers and the FMCG industry.
• Confidence starting conversations and building relationships.
• A growth mindset and willingness to learn.
• Commercial curiosity and the ability to identify opportunities.
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-moving environment.
• Good organisation and the ability to manage a busy territory.
• Comfort working independently and spending most of your time visiting customers.
• Most importantly, the drive to learn, make an impact and build valuable commercial experience.

Ready to get out into the market and take the next step in your Field Sales career?

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, or differing abilities, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.