Business Development Manager

Storm International; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Storm International is expanding its team in the UK, seeking an ambitious Business Development Manager to drive new commercial opportunities across sport, leisure, events and tourism.

You’ll identify prospective clients, introduce Storm’s capabilities, and develop relationships from initial contact through to orders, with a focus on the leisure, tourism and music sectors. Based in the UK, you’ll travel to meet clients and attend industry events as required.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in business development, sales or related industry is essential.
• Strong relationship-building and senior stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commercial mindset with a hunter/close-wins approach.
• Ability to generate leads and convert opportunities.
• Comfortable presenting capabilities and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities.
• Prospect and approach potential customers.
• Build relationships with key decision-makers.
• Generate leads via phone, email, LinkedIn, and events.
• Present Storm’s product, design and sourcing capabilities.
• Collaborate with creative and sourcing teams on proposals.
• Manage opportunities from intro to quotation and order.
• Grow new accounts into long-term partnerships.
• Attend client meetings and industry exhibitions as needed.
• Stay informed on trends in sport, merchandise and retail.

Skills

Business development

Relationship building

Sales

Lead generation

Communication

Job description

Join Storm International and help grow some of the most exciting merchandise partnerships in sport, leisure, events and tourism.

We’re looking for an ambitious, confident and commercially driven Business Development Manager to join our growing team.

Established in 1993, Storm International specialises in the sourcing, design, branding and supply of bespoke merchandise for customers across sport, leisure, charity, travel, tourism and events.

We work with an extensive network of trusted suppliers across the UK, Europe and Far East, delivering bespoke merchandise to customers throughout the UK and internationally.

Our biggest area of business is sport, where we work with major names across Premier League and Championship football, Formula 1 and large-scale sporting and entertainment events.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a genuine new business development role for someone who loves building relationships, opening doors and turning opportunities into long-term customers.

You’ll be responsible for identifying and approaching prospective clients, introducing Storm’s capabilities and developing new commercial opportunities across both our existing sectors and new markets, in particular the leisure, tourism and music space.

No two projects are the same. One day you could be discussing a bespoke merchandise range for a football club, the next developing ideas for an international sporting event, tourism brand or major corporate customer.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Identifying and developing new business opportunities
• Prospecting and approaching potential customers
• Building relationships with key decision-makers
• Generating leads through phone, email, LinkedIn, networking and industry contacts
• Presenting Storm’s product, design and sourcing capabilities
• Working with our creative and sourcing teams to develop compelling merchandise proposals
• Managing opportunities from initial introduction through to quotation and order
• Growing new accounts into long-term commercial partnerships
• Attending client meetings, events and industry exhibitions where required
• Keeping up to date with trends and opportunities across sport, merchandise and retail

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for someone who is personable, proactive, commercially minded and hungry to succeed.

You’ll be comfortable starting conversations with new businesses, confident speaking to senior decision-makers and motivated by winning new accounts.

Previous experience in business development, sales, merchandise, promotional products, sport, licensing, retail or a related industry is essential, but personality and a commercial drive are equally important.

You should be:

• A natural relationship builder
• Confident and professional
• Target and results driven
• Highly organised
• Comfortable generating your own leads
• Creative in your approach to new business
• A strong communicator both verbally and in writing
• Able to work independently while being part of a close-knit team

We are looking for applicants based in Leeds / Manchester / Sheffield – this role will be office based when you are not attending client meetings or sales pitches.

WHY STORM?

With more than 30 years' experience, Storm offers the opportunity to join an established business with an exciting and growing customer base.

You’ll have the chance to work on projects across multi disciplines, supported by an experienced team covering design, sourcing, product development and logistics.

If you’re someone who gets a buzz from opening new doors, building relationships and winning business, we’d love to hear from you.

Ready for your next challenge?