Business Development Manager - National

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - NATIONAL
UK-wide | Home and field-based

£40,000–£45,000 basic salary + bonus + company car or car allowance
The Animal People are incredibly proud to have been selected as the exclusive recruitment partner for this fantastic new client and to launch our first search together.

Our client is a globally respected manufacturer with an outstanding reputation for premium-quality products across the animal sector. With an established presence in the UK and an exciting opportunity for further growth, they’re now looking for a Business Development Manager to take ownership of their companion-animal division.

This is far more than a traditional territory sales role. You’ll become the face of the division, developing an established portfolio of approximately 34 B2B accounts while identifying new opportunities across professional dog grooming, specialist distribution and veterinary wholesale.

THE OPPORTUNITY

You’ll be trusted to manage the division as though it were your own business, building meaningful customer relationships, increasing brand visibility and creating a clear plan for sustainable growth.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing and developing an established national portfolio of B2B customers
• Identifying and converting new commercial opportunities
• Building strong relationships with professional groomers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, grooming academies and veterinary groups
• Delivering engaging product demonstrations and customer training
• Creating account plans and using commercial insight to unlock growth
• Representing the brand at major industry exhibitions and events, including Crufts
• Providing regular market, customer and competitor feedback
• Working closely with the National Sales Manager and wider UK team

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for someone who combines strong commercial ability with credibility, warmth and a genuine interest in the companion-animal market.
You’re likely to bring:

• Experience in field sales, business development, account management or territory growth
• Knowledge of the pet, professional grooming, animal health or veterinary market
• The confidence to demonstrate products and train customers
• A proven ability to develop existing accounts and win new business
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• The motivation and organisation required to manage a national territory
• A practical, hands-on approach and the confidence to represent a premium brand

Direct professional grooming experience would be highly valuable, but we’re equally interested in talented people from adjacent markets who understand the customer base and can quickly learn the technical side of the product range.

THE PACKAGE

• £40,000–£45,000 basic salary, with potential flexibility for an exceptional candidate
• Performance-related bonus
• Company car or car allowance
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension
• Laptop and mobile phone
• Comprehensive product training
• Home and field-based working
• Attendance at leading industry events

WHY CONSIDER IT?
This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of an established division rather than inherit a rigid sales patch.
You’ll join a supportive, straightforward team representing premium products that customers already know and trust. You’ll have the freedom to build relationships properly, influence the direction of the division and make a visible commercial impact.

The Animal People will manage the recruitment process exclusively and provide every candidate with a clear, honest and personal experience throughout.
If you’re ready to take ownership of an exciting national opportunity within the companion-animal industry, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Katie Fletcher at The Animal People for a confidential conversation.