Business Manager – B2B Distribution

Bridgewater Resources UK; Shefford; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established UK distributor is seeking a Business Manager to take ownership of a high-potential business unit. This role offers autonomy and full P&L responsibility, focusing on driving sales growth and strengthening supplier partnerships. Candidates should have a strong background in B2B sales, financial acumen, and leadership skills. The position includes a salary of up to £70k plus a significant profit-sharing bonus, providing an exciting opportunity to shape business performance and personal earning potential.

Benefits

Up to £70k base salary

Significant profit-share bonus

High autonomy

Qualifications

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience owning a P&L.
• Proven track record of growing B2B sales in competitive markets.
• Experience working with consumer or industrial battery categories is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for turnover, gross profit, operating costs, and overall financial results.
• Develop and deliver the sales and marketing strategy.
• Negotiate pricing, product ranges, and service levels.
• Oversee warehouse, logistics, stock management, and operations teams.
• Ensure full compliance with UK/EU battery regulations.

Skills

Commercial acumen

B2B sales experience

Negotiation skills

Leadership and coaching

Analytical and organized

Job description

Overview

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

• P&L Ownership & Financial Performance
  1. Take full responsibility for turnover, gross profit, operating costs, and overall financial results.
  2. Set annual forecasts and strategic targets, monitoring performance through KPIs.
• Sales Growth & Market Development
  1. Develop and deliver the sales and marketing strategy.
  2. Grow existing accounts and identify new market opportunities.
• Supplier & Manufacturer Relationship Management
  1. Act as a senior UK commercial contact for global consumer battery brands.
  2. Negotiate pricing, product ranges, supply agreements, service levels, and annual trading terms.
• Operational Leadership
  1. Oversee warehouse, logistics, stock management, administration, and operations teams.
  2. Ensure high service levels, supply continuity, and process improvements.
  3. Lead, coach, and develop the sales team; recruit future talent as needed.
• Compliance & Technical Oversight
  1. Ensure full compliance with UK/EU battery regulations (including WEEE, POPs, PPN 06/21, packaging, labelling, waste management).
  2. 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

What’s on Offer

• Up to £70k base salary
• Significant profit‑share bonus, taking the package well in excess of 6 figures
• High autonomy and direct influence over business success

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.