Business Manager - B2B Distribution

Bridgewater Resources UK; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading B2B distributor in the UK seeks an experienced Business Manager to take full ownership of a high-potential business unit. This role offers autonomy and P&L responsibility, focusing on driving sales growth, managing supplier relationships, and leading a team. The ideal candidate should possess strong commercial acumen, proven B2B sales success, and leadership skills, with a background in consumer or industrial battery sectors being beneficial. Join us to shape and scale this exciting business opportunity.

Qualifications

• Experience owning a P&L.
• Experience with consumer or industrial battery categories is advantageous.
• Ability to work with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team and drive sales growth.
• Take full responsibility for financial results and performance.
• Negotiate pricing and service levels with suppliers.
• Oversee warehouse, logistics, and operational teams.

Skills

Strong commercial and financial acumen

Proven track record of growing B2B sales

Highly driven and self-motivated

Confident leader with coaching skills

Skilled negotiator

Clear communicator

Job description

A well-established UK B2B distributor of branded consumer batteries is seeking an experienced Business Manager to take full ownership of a high-potential business unit with national coverage. Operating within a decentralised structure, this role offers genuine autonomy, full P&L responsibility, and the opportunity to shape both business performance and personal earning potential.

This fast-growing profit centre supports a wide range of customers, including public sector organisations, wholesalers, trade professionals, hospitality, and commercial clients. With strong supplier relationships, a stable team, and significant opportunities for expansion, this is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially driven leader.

Purpose of the Role

The Business Manager will have total accountability for business direction, performance and profitability. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team, drive sales growth, strengthen supplier partnerships and ensure operational excellence across all areas of the business. This is a hands‑on, autonomous leadership role for someone with the commercial drive to scale a business and maximise results.

Operational Responsibilities

1. P&L Ownership & Financial Performance

• Take full responsibility for turnover, gross profit, operating costs and overall financial results.
• Set annual forecasts and strategic targets, monitoring performance through KPIs.

2. Sales Growth & Market Development

• Develop and deliver the sales and marketing strategy.
• Grow existing accounts and identify new market opportunities.

3. Supplier & Manufacturer Relationship Management

• Act as a senior UK commercial contact for global consumer battery brands.
• Negotiate pricing, product ranges, supply agreements, service levels and annual trading terms.

4. Operational Leadership

• Oversee warehouse, logistics, stock management, administration and operations teams.
• Ensure high service levels, supply continuity and process improvements.
• Lead, coach and develop the sales team; recruit future talent as needed.

5. Compliance & Technical Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with UK/EU battery regulations (including WEEE, POPs, PPN 06/21, packaging, labelling, waste management).
• Maintain ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 processes for quality, supplier control and environmental management.

Key Deliverables

• Consistent year-on-year growth in turnover, gross profit and operational income.
• Achievement of forecast commitments.
• Full regulatory compliance.
• Increased market share.
• Strong and strategically aligned supplier partnerships.
• High service levels (OTIF, stock accuracy, delivery performance).
• High team engagement supported by structured KPIs and operational discipline.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience owning a P&L.
• Proven track record of growing B2B sales in competitive markets.
• Highly driven, self‑motivated and accountable.
• Commercially astute, analytical, organised and sales-focused.
• Confident leader with coaching and team‑development skills.
• Experience working with consumer or industrial battery categories (advantageous).
• Skilled negotiator with experience managing customer and supplier relationships.
• Clear communicator able to work with stakeholders at all levels.

Ready to Lead a High-Potential Profit Centre?

If you’re commercially driven, motivated by ownership and excited by the opportunity to shape and scale a business with real autonomy, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.