Retail Business Development Manager

Nativodsg; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A major retail partner in the UK is looking for an experienced Convenience Retailing Business Development Manager to support their SPAR Blakemore Trade Partners Team. The role involves developing retail business plans, monitoring performance, and ensuring adherence to SPAR standards. Candidates should have managerial experience in convenience stores, strong customer service skills, and a UK driving license. This permanent position offers competitive compensation, a bonus opportunity, and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Competitive Salary plus Bonus Opportunity

Dynamic role in an expanding team

Generous staff discount

Access to a comprehensive benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Ideally possess Management experience in Convenience Store/Supermarket.
• Proven experience in account management with B2B accounts.
• UK Driving Licence is essential.
• High proficiency in numeracy and literacy is crucial.
• A solid understanding of Retail Operations is required.
• Excellent customer service skills are mandatory.
• Extremely self-motivated and driven individuals are preferred.
• Experience in Account/Field Management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop retail business plans and operational targets with retailers.
• Monitor adherence to SPAR operating standards.
• Assess retailer performance and facilitate improvements.
• Manage bad debt and liaise with head office.
• Provide support on new SPAR initiatives and developments.
• Develop strong relationships with retailers and their teams.
• Identify and report issues affecting retailer trading capabilities.
• Support Regional Sales Managers in project groups.

Skills

Managerial experience in Convenience Store/Supermarket

Account management experience with B2B accounts

UK Driving Licence

High level of numeracy and literacy

Knowledge of Retail Operations

Excellent customer service skills

Self-motivated and driven

Experience in Account/Field Management

Education

Business Degree or equivalent

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Convenience Retailing Retail Business Development Manager to join our SPAR Blakemore Trade Partners Team. Your role is to support and the existing SPAR convenience store customer base in your allocated area whilst controlling the implementation of Trade Partner initiatives and ensuring that multi‑site retailers maintain the standard required by A.F. Blakemore and SPAR.

We take the word Partner seriously. As such we are seeking a determined, articulate self‑starter with a real passion for customer service, to collaborate, support and listen as we continue to add value to our SPAR customers businesses as well as our own, by driving retail sales.

As part of the broader A.F. Blakemore & Son SPAR business, you will be empowered and supported in a family business that encourages accountability and personal development, thriving in a culture with defined DNA and Values built upon positive relationships both internally, with its partners and our local communities.

Location

Field based (South East, Surrey, Kent, Sussex)

Salary: Competitive plus bonus

Hours: 40 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Key Tasks/Responsibilities

• Development of appropriate retail business plans, operational targets, and budgets, in conjunction with the retailer
• Monitoring retailers level of adherence / loyalty towards recognised SPAR operating standards and facilitating improvement as required
• Monitoring retailer performance and facilitating improvement as required, in conjunction with the wider retail team
• The control of bad debt management within the business and liaising closely with head office with regard to issues identified
• Providing retailers with information and support regarding the implementation of new SPAR developments / initiatives
• Providing retailers with advice / sources of information reference general business issues and legislation (e.g. health and food safety, training, employment law, etc.)
• Developing good working relationships with individual retailers and their teams, without compromising the needs and expectations of the AFB Group
• Identification of issues that may affect the retailers ability to trade or pay AFB Group bills, and the reporting of these to head office
• Successful integration of new retailers as they are handed over from Recruitment
• Supporting the Regional Sales Managers by representing the Sales Department within project groups

Essential

• Ideally possess Managerial experience in Convenience Store/Supermarket.
• Account management experienced with B2B accounts, ideally in convenience/food.
• UK Driving Licence
• High level of numeracy and literacy
• A good knowledge of Retail Operations
• Excellent customer service skills
• A passion for Retail
• Extremely self-motivated and driven
• Experienced in Account/Field Management

Desirable

• Business Degree or equivalent
• Retail Management experience

Whats in it for you?

• Competitive Salary plus Bonus Opportunity
• A dynamic role in an expanding team
• Fast paced exciting opportunity working with some of the UK's leading brands including SPAR
• Generous staff discount
• Proactive promotion of internal candidates

Market Leading Benefits Scheme

• 24/7 access to your payslips via HR/Payroll portal
• Staff Discount in our SPAR stores
• Access to our colleague benefits scheme which offers a wide range of high street retail, holiday & leisure discounts
• Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme
• NEST pension scheme
• Company Pension Scheme
• Extra Holidays - Purchase Scheme
• Long Service Awards

About Us

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is one of the largest privately owned companies in the UK. Our forward‑thinking family‑owned business began life in 1917 as a counter‑service grocery store and has grown from these humble beginnings into a company that now owns 250 SPAR convenience stores and employs almost 6,000 people, with a turnover of £1.2 billion.

As one of the largest convenience retailers in the UK, we are always looking for innovative ways to create a point of difference. Food and drink have always been our lifeblood, and today our business has multiple divisions specialising in SPAR retail, food service and wholesale distribution.

SPAR is the worlds largest international food retail chain, encompassing more than 12,000 stores in 40 countries. With more than 2,600 stores and a turnover in excess of £3 billion, SPAR is also the UK's leading convenience store group. Being a symbol group means that individual SPAR members retain their independence but enjoy the many benefits of being a part of a global brand.