Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager at Brakes, your primary responsibilities will include identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, building strong relationships with local food market players, crafting bespoke culinary propositions, and achieving profit targets. You will also monitor market trends to provide insightful solutions that align with our business goals.

While prior experience in field sales is beneficial for the Business Development Manager role at Brakes, it isn't essential. We are looking for candidates with a commercial mindset, a passion for food, and the ambition to drive growth in our independent business segment. A willingness to learn will also be valued highly, as we provide extensive training.

At Brakes, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. We focus not just on qualifications, but on who you are and your potential. We actively encourage all employees to bring their authentic selves to work and strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

While having field sales experience is an advantage when applying for the Business Development Manager role at Brakes, it is not a strict requirement. We value candidates who possess a strong commercial mindset and are eager to learn, as we provide a thorough induction program to support your growth.

Brakes is committed to ensuring a fair and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or assistance during your application, our resourcing team is available to help guide you through the process and ensure your experience is as smooth as possible.

When answering this question, focus on any specific roles where you've successfully developed new business opportunities, particularly in food service. Discuss your approach to identifying leads, nurturing relationships, and closing deals. Specific examples of revenue growth or successful partnerships can help demonstrate your impact.

Highlight your organizational skills and strategies for prioritizing client needs. You can mention tools or methods you use to track tasks, the importance of effective communication, and how you ensure that all clients feel valued while meeting deadlines.

In your response, emphasize a proactive approach such as subscribing to industry newsletters, attending trade shows, or networking with industry peers. Mention how you apply these insights to enhance your sales strategies and support your clients effectively.

For this question, demonstrate your listening and communication skills. Describe a methodical approach to addressing objections by understanding the client's concerns and providing tailored solutions. Use real-life examples to illustrate your successful resolutions.

When answering this, share a specific scenario where your efforts significantly contributed to surpassing your goals. Discuss the challenges you faced, your strategy to overcome them, and the ultimate outcome to showcase your sales acumen.

Discuss intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, such as the satisfaction of building strong client relationships, the thrill of closing deals, or achieving personal and company growth goals. Highlight how these motivations drive your performance in a sales environment.

When discussing this, emphasize your research and discovery processes. Talk about how you assess the client's needs, gather relevant data, and collaborate with your team to create customized solutions that add value and meet client-specific challenges.

Highlight the importance of collaboration in achieving sales goals. Discuss how you involve various teams within the company, share insights, and work together to present comprehensive offers that address the client's needs effectively.

In your answer, describe the tools and processes you use to manage your sales pipeline, such as CRM systems or spreadsheets. Emphasis on the importance of reviewing and updating your pipeline regularly to ensure you’re tracking progress and prioritizing leads.

Focus on the unique qualities that set you apart, such as strong interpersonal skills, a great understanding of the food service industry, or your ability to adapt to change. Tailoring your answer to what Brakes values can further enhance its effectiveness.