Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Somchi Afro Market Ltd

Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Salary: £42,000 per annum

Job Type: Permanent | Full-time

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

About Us

Somchi Afro Market Ltd is an independent retailer specialising in African and Caribbean groceries and household products. Based in Southend-on-Sea, we are committed to providing quality products, excellent customer service and an enjoyable shopping experience for our growing customer base.

The Role

As our bulk-purchase trade continues to grow, we are seeking an ambitious Business Development & Key Accounts Manager to grow our existing recurring customer accounts, develop new bulk-purchase, business and community relationships, and support the Company’s wider commercial growth strategy.

Reporting directly to the Director, you will be responsible for growing and managing key customer accounts, developing new business opportunities, and building the commercial relationships that support the Company’s expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, approach and develop new bulk-purchase, business, community and other high-value customer relationships
• Develop account growth plans for existing recurring customers, identifying opportunities to increase order frequency, customer value and the range of products purchased
• Manage and grow existing key accounts, including the Company’s established recurring bulk-purchase customers
• Negotiate and agree new bulk-purchase arrangements with customers
• Maintain a structured pipeline of prospective bulk, business and community-based customers, recording leads, engagement activity, proposals, conversion outcomes and follow-up actions
• Develop commercial partnerships, referral relationships and business networks capable of generating new customer accounts and recurring sales opportunities
• Analyse customer purchasing patterns and market trends to identify growth opportunities
• Develop and help implement a business development strategy to grow recurring trade revenue
• Prepare commercial proposals and terms for new and existing customers
• Monitor and report on new business pipeline and account performance
• Represent the Company at community and trade events to generate new business leads
• Work closely with the Director to align business development activity with the Company’s overall growth plans

Essential Requirements

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Business, Marketing, Sales or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrable experience in business development, account management or a sales-related role
• Strong negotiation and relationship-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical ability
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and CRM/customer record systems

Desirable

• Experience in food, grocery or FMCG business development
• Knowledge of African and Caribbean food products and consumer markets
• Experience working with small or growing independent retail businesses

What We Offer

Competitive salary · Company pension · Employee discount · Professional development opportunities · Casual dress · On-site parking · Sick pay

How to Apply

CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Work Location: In person, with customer-facing activity

Pay: £42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person