Business Development Manager

The Advocate Group; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus

Job summary

The Advocate Group partners with a traditional British cider producer to appoint a Business Development Manager who will drive growth across the On Trade. This field-based role focuses on winning new business, expanding distribution and building long-term relationships with pubs, bars and restaurants.

You will manage a robust sales pipeline, visit customers across the territory, and use CRM tools to achieve targets and KPIs while representing a passion for quality ciders and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Proven sales experience in drinks, FMCG, hospitality or On Trade sectors.
• Strong track record of winning new business and growing accounts.
• Commercially driven, target-focused, and able to drive tangible sales growth.
• Confident identifying, developing and converting opportunities.
• Strong understanding of On Trade dynamics with pubs, bars, restaurants and wholesalers.
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills across levels.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial, autonomous field-based performer.
• Passion for building brands and long-term partnerships.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Organised with the ability to manage a customer base, pipeline and diary.
• Comfortable with CRM systems and basic office applications.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities across the On Trade (pubs, bars, restaurants, wholesalers).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing customers to grow sales and product range.
• Develop and manage a sales pipeline, prospect for new customers and convert opportunities into long-term accounts.
• Increase visibility and distribution of the portfolio through listings and activity.
• Understand customer needs and market trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Negotiate new business and manage relationships for retention and expansion.
• Regularly visit customers and prospects, building a market network.
• Monitor competitor activity to inform sales strategy.
• Maintain accurate CRM data and achieve sales targets and KPIs.

Skills

Sales experience

On Trade knowledge

Relationship building

Negotiation

CRM familiarity

Travel readiness

Presentation skills

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Business Development Manager

Field Based

Competitive Salary + Car Allowance + Bonus

We are currently representing an independent and authentic British cider producer with a real passion for quality, provenance and sustainability. With strong roots in the English countryside, the business produces a range of traditionally crafted ciders using 100% fresh-pressed English cider apples sourced from local orchards.

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to drive growth across the region, with a key focus on winning new business, increasing distribution and developing long-term relationships with existing customers across the On Trade.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven salesperson who enjoys being out in the market, identifying opportunities and turning relationships into tangible sales growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities across the On Trade, targeting pubs, bars, restaurants, wholesalers and hospitality businesses.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing customers, identifying opportunities to increase sales, distribution and product range.
• Develop and manage a strong sales pipeline, proactively prospecting for new customers and converting opportunities into long-term accounts.
• Increase the visibility and presence of the company's portfolio across the territory through new listings, ranging and commercial activity.
• Understand customer needs and market trends to identify opportunities for growth and develop commercially compelling proposals.
• Negotiate new business opportunities and manage customer relationships to ensure strong levels of retention and ongoing account development.
• Regularly visit customers and prospects, maintaining a strong presence in the market and building a network of contacts across the On Trade.
• Monitor competitor activity and market developments, using this insight to identify new opportunities and support the wider sales strategy.
• Maintain accurate customer and sales information through the CRM system and take ownership of agreed sales targets and KPIs.

About You

• Proven sales experience within the drinks, FMCG, hospitality or On Trade sector.
• A strong track record of winning new business and developing existing customer accounts.
• Commercially driven, target-focused and motivated by achieving tangible sales growth.
• Confident in identifying, developing and converting new business opportunities.
• Strong understanding of the On Trade market and the dynamics of working with pubs, bars, restaurants and wholesalers.
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage with customers at all levels.
• Naturally proactive, entrepreneurial and comfortable working autonomously within a field-based role.
• Passionate about building brands and creating long-term customer partnerships.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Organised and able to effectively manage a customer base, sales pipeline and diary.
• Comfortable using CRM systems, Microsoft Office and other basic business applications.
• Positive, resilient and solutions-focused, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and growing business.
• Comfortable with regular travel across the territory.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

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