£40,000 - £42,000 Basic Salary + Annual Bonus + Company Car + Benefits
Home-Based | UK
The Animal People Recruitment Company is delighted to be exclusively partnering with a well-established and rapidly growing pet food business to recruit a Business Development Manager.
This is a genuine new business opportunity for a commercially minded salesperson who thrives on opening doors, winning customers and growing territories.
Importantly, this role can be based anywhere in the UK, with the territory built around the successful candidate.
Whilst experience within the pet industry would certainly be advantageous, it isn't essential. What matters most is that you've built a successful career managing a sales territory, winning new business and developing strong customer relationships.
We're looking for somebody who is self-motivated, driven and genuinely enjoys being out in the field. Somebody who can identify opportunities, build trust with independent retailers and successfully grow market share.
If you're the type of person who enjoys creating opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive, we'd love to hear from you.
The Company
Our client is a family-owned business with over 25 years of experience within the pet industry.
Operating across manufacturing, ingredients, distribution and branded pet food, the business has grown significantly and now employs approximately 80 people across multiple UK locations.
Supported by its own manufacturing facilities, distribution network, transport fleet and regional hubs, the company is uniquely positioned for continued growth within the independent pet retail sector.
The business owns a portfolio of highly respected pet food brands and has ambitious plans to increase distribution, grow market share and strengthen relationships throughout the independent pet trade.
This is an opportunity to join a business where decisions are made quickly, people genuinely care about one another and career progression is recognised and rewarded.
The Opportunity
This is not an account management role.
The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, targeting and winning new independent pet retail customers across the UK.
You will play a key role in increasing distribution, opening new accounts and growing brand awareness across a portfolio of premium pet food brands.
Working closely with the leadership team, you will have the autonomy to develop your own territory plan and contribute directly to the future growth of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, target and win new independent pet retail customers.
- Develop and execute a territory growth strategy.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of new business opportunities.
- Generate appointments and open new trading accounts.
- Increase distribution across the product portfolio.
- Build long-term commercial relationships with independent retailers.
- Deliver product training and support where required.
- Attend trade shows, customer events and industry exhibitions.
- Monitor competitor activity and identify market opportunities.
- Maintain accurate CRM records and reporting.
- Work collaboratively with internal sales, customer service and marketing teams.
Within your first 12 months you will:
- Open new independent retail accounts.
- Increase distribution across the product portfolio.
- Grow brand awareness within your territory.
- Deliver sustainable sales growth.
- Build strong retailer relationships.
- Become a trusted ambassador for the business and its brands.
The ideal candidate will be:
- An experienced Territory Sales Manager, Area Sales Manager, Business Development Manager or Field Sales Representative.
- A genuine hunter with a passion for winning new business.
- Commercially minded and results driven.
- Comfortable opening doors and creating opportunities.
- Self-motivated and capable of working autonomously.
- Organised and proactive.
- A confident communicator and relationship builder.
- Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences.
We are equally interested in speaking with talented sales professionals from other sectors who can demonstrate a track record of growing territories, winning customers and delivering results.
Why Join?
- Family-owned business with strong values.
- Open and approachable leadership team.
- Genuine career progression opportunities.
- Growing and ambitious organisation.
- Significant investment in manufacturing, distribution and logistics.
- Premium product portfolio.
- Opportunity to make a visible impact on business growth.
- Supportive, collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.
- Autonomy to shape and grow your territory.
- £40,000 - £42,000 Basic Salary
- Annual Performance Bonus
- Company Car
- Fuel Card
- Mobile Phone
- Laptop
- Pension Scheme
- 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Wellbeing & Rewards Platform
- Business Expenses Covered
- Accommodation & Subsistence Covered When Required
If you're an experienced territory sales professional looking for an opportunity where you can genuinely make your mark, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact The Animal People Recruitment Company for a confidential conversation.
