Head of Business Development

Co-op; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail cooperative in the UK seeks a Head of Business Development to oversee corporate acquisitions and build high-value partnerships. Ideal candidates will have experience in large corporate transactions and knowledge of the retail sector. This role involves strategic development and team leadership, offering a competitive salary and a range of benefits including private healthcare and a car allowance.

Benefits

A company car or £6,000 car allowance

Private healthcare

Annual bonus based on performance

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension with up to 10% employer contributions

30% discount on Co-op products

Early access to pay

Virtual healthcare

24/7 colleague support service

Training and development support

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience leading and overseeing the delivery of large corporate acquisitions.
• Knowledge of the independent retail sector.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a pipeline of corporate acquisition opportunities.
• Develop and deliver acquisition strategies that create commercial value.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure smooth onboarding of new customers.
• Continuously improve pitch quality and win rates.
• Help shape the future of business strategy.
• Line manage a small team of Senior New Business Managers.
• Act as deputy for the Business Growth & Development Director.

Skills

Experience leading and overseeing large corporate acquisitions

Knowledge of the independent retail sector

Strong strategic thinking and planning skills

Ability to lead and co-ordinate teams effectively

Great relationship-building and partner management skills

Commercial know-how

Good communication skills

Job description

Head of Business Development

Circa £100,000 to £120,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 4)

Location: This is a field-based role, with occasional travel to our Scunthorpe office for team meetings

Co-op Wholesale is growing, and we’re looking for people who want to lead on what comes next. As our Head of Business Development, you’ll oversee the acquisition of high-value corporate contracts and build partnerships worth millions. You’ll play a key role in delivering our new business strategy and creating opportunities that make a real difference across wholesale.

We’re looking for someone who can build strong, trusted relationships with corporate clients, engage confidently at senior levels, and bring commercial expertise to every conversation. This is a great opportunity to help us grow our market presence and play a big part in shaping the future of Co-op Wholesale. If you’re ready to take on the challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

Why this role matters

We’re building something big at Co-op Wholesale. With a refreshed structure and exciting plans ahead, we’re creating new opportunities to strengthen our proposition for our independent retailers, key accounts, and a growing corporate client base. You’ll join our Business Development and Growth team, which is expanding to take on some of our biggest and boldest corporate acquisition targets. This team is all about collaboration, growth, and driving our business forward. From identifying new markets to shaping trusted partnerships, they’re helping take us to the next level. This is where you come in.

This is your chance to shape what comes next – bringing new ideas to life and making a real impact. Be part of it.

What you’ll do

• Lead a pipeline of corporate acquisition opportunities, targeting multi-site, strategically aligned partners
• Develop and deliver acquisition strategies that create commercial value and grow our brand presence
• Work closely with colleagues to make sure new customers are onboarded smoothly
• Continuously improve our pitch quality and win rates
• Help shape the future of our new business strategy alongside our Business Development and Growth Director
• Line manage a small team of Senior New Business Managers
• Act as deputy for the Business Growth & Development Director when required, managing aspects of independent retail acquisitions

What you’ll bring

• Experience leading and overseeing the delivery of large corporate acquisitions
• Knowledge of the independent retail sector
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills
• The ability to lead and co-ordinate teams effectively
• Great relationship-building and partner management skills
• Commercial know-how and confidence in presenting complex propositions
• Good communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge inclusively

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• A company car or £6,000 car allowance
• Private healthcare
• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
• Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
• 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle-to-work scheme

A place you’ll belong

We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.

We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.

Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.