Business Development Manager

Holt Engineering; Hurn; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Holt Engineering in Christchurch, Dorset, is seeking a commercially driven Business Development Manager to win new customers and shape compelling propositions across ecommerce, retail and consumer brands. You will own the full B2B sales cycle, travel to client sites across the UK and close new contracts with support from the Commercial Manager.

Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday. Salary up to £60,000 per annum + commission; a strong pipeline and strategic thinking are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development and new business sales.
• Demonstrable experience managing the full B2B sales cycle from engagement to closing.
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to develop and present viable propositions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence engaging with business owners, senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Proactive, self-starting approach with ability to work autonomously.
• Strong lead qualification, opportunity assessment and pipeline management.
• Ability to translate customer challenges into tailored service solutions.
• Collaborative with leadership and operational teams.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple opportunities.
• Willingness to travel for customer meetings and site visits.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full sales cycle from qualification to contract signature.
• Proactively identify and develop new business opportunities across ecommerce, retail, DTC and consumer brands.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified prospects and move opportunities to close.
• Conduct discovery calls and meetings to understand logistics, warehousing and fulfilment needs.
• Develop tailored commercial proposals with the Commercial Manager and leadership.
• Present and sell logistics and fulfilment services with clear commercial value.
• Organise customer meetings, site visits and onboarding discussions.
• Negotiate commercial terms and secure new contracts.
• Collaborate with commercial and operations to ensure deliverable solutions.
• Take ownership of business development processes and drive growth in the UK.

Skills

Business development

B2B sales

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Lead management

Travel willingness

Job description

Business Development Manager

Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm, Monday - Friday

Salary: up to £60,000 per annum + commission

Our client is an international logistics and fulfilment partner supporting ecommerce, retail and consumer brands across the UK and Europe. Offering tailored warehousing, logistics and fulfilment solutions, the business helps brands scale their operations, optimise supply chains and expand into new markets.

As the business continues to grow its UK operation, it is looking for a commercially driven Business Development Manager to win new customers, develop compelling commercial propositions and help build its sales channel.

Duties Required

• Manage the full sales cycle, from qualifying inbound leads and identifying genuine opportunities through to proposal development, negotiation and contract signature.
• Proactively identify and develop new business opportunities across ecommerce, retail, DTC and consumer brands.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified prospects and manage opportunities through to conversion.
• Conduct discovery calls and customer meetings to understand prospective clients' logistics, warehousing and fulfilment requirements.
• Identify brands experiencing growth, fulfilment challenges, service issues with existing providers or considering bringing outsourced operations in-house.
• Develop tailored commercial proposals in collaboration with the Commercial Manager and senior leadership.
• Present and sell the company's logistics and fulfilment services, demonstrating clear commercial value to prospective customers.
• Arrange and attend customer meetings, site visits and onboarding discussions to assess operational requirements and establish customer suitability.
• Negotiate commercial terms and secure new customer contracts.
• Work closely with commercial and operational stakeholders to ensure proposed solutions are practical, profitable and deliverable.
• Take ownership of business development activity, helping establish structure, processes and best practice within a developing sales function.
• Build strong relationships with senior decision-makers and contribute to the continued growth of the UK business.
• Travel to customer sites and meetings across the UK as required, including occasional short-notice travel.

Skills Required

• Proven experience in business development, new business sales or commercial sales.
• Demonstrable experience managing the full B2B sales cycle, from initial engagement through to closing deals.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to develop and present compelling, commercially viable proposals.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence engaging with business owners, senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• A proactive, self-starting approach, with the ability to work autonomously and make an immediate impact.
• Strong lead qualification, opportunity assessment and pipeline management skills.
• The ability to understand customer challenges and translate requirements into tailored service solutions.
• A collaborative approach, with the confidence to work closely with commercial leadership and operational teams.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel for customer meetings and site visits.

Desirable experience:

• Background in third-party logistics (3PL), ecommerce fulfilment, warehousing, supply chain or contract logistics.
• Understanding of ecommerce, DTC, retail and omnichannel business models.
• Experience working with consumer brands or businesses reviewing their existing fulfilment arrangements.
• Experience developing new business within a growing or entrepreneurial commercial environment.