Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Organisation: Smurfit Westrock UKI

Location: Home based/ Hybrid - Travel required

Working pattern: Full-time, Permanent

About Us

We are a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging. Our focus is on the health and safety of our employees, the well-being of our communities, and delivering exceptional service to our customers. We support our team members to reach their full potential in an inclusive environment that values diversity.

Introduction

Smurfit Westrock Sheetfeeding are one of the UK’s largest producers of corrugated packaging for the Trade.  We have a vision of becoming an indispensable partner to our customers delivered through operational excellence and a highly engaged workforce.  We are currently looking for a full-time Business Development Manager.

As a key member of the sales team, this role is responsible for both developing new business opportunities and strengthening relationships with existing customers to support sustainable growth.

Key responsibilities

• Drive New Business Growth: Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities aligned with the company’s sales strategy.
• Account Management: Maintain and grow existing customer relationships, ensuring strong service levels and consistent performance.
• Market Intelligence: Actively monitor competitor activity, pricing trends, and market shifts — feeding insights back into the Sales team to inform strategy.
• Sales Planning: Develop and regularly update a market plan outlining all key opportunities, risks, and potential areas for growth.
• Customer Engagement: Build and maintain strong, meaningful relationships with customers. Attend customer meetings and reviews to ensure satisfaction and any further opportunities.
• Pipeline Management: Build, manage, and maintain a robust pipeline of new and existing business opportunities.
• Service Level Agreements: Work collaboratively to establish SLAs with key customers to ensure clear expectations and excellent service delivery.
• Lost Business Review: Monitor and respond to lost business, identifying root causes and working to win back key accounts where viable.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Communicate effectively with internal teams to resolve customer issues and support high service levels.
• Debt Reduction Support: Partner with the accounts team to support efforts in reducing debtor days and improving payment performance.
• Specialist Opportunities: Identify and develop niche or specialist sales opportunities that align with the company’s capabilities and strategic goals.
• Your job title does not limit your duties, and the Company may require you from time to time to undertake any other duties within your capability.

Essential skills and experience

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Commercial awareness and understanding of market dynamics
• Ability to analyse data and report effectively
• Proven experience in a business development or sales role
• Track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets
• Experience managing customer relationships at a senior level Experience working cross-functionally with internal teams
• Proven experience engaging directly with business owners, not just procurement professionals.

Desirable skills and experience

• Understanding of the packaging or manufacturing industry
• Experience in both B2B account management and sales "hunting"
• Experience in the sheet plant, corrugated packaging, or similar sector

Other Requirements

• This is a hybrid role involving regular travel to customer sites. When not on the road, you’ll be based on site, with the flexibility to work from home when appropriate.
• Valid driver’s license.

What we offer

• Competitive salary & benefits, including annual leave, pension, and a Cycle to Work scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• 24/7 confidential support for you and your family
• Flexible working options and family-friendly policies
• Guaranteed interview for candidates meeting essential criteria (Disability Confident Employer)

Ready to make an impact? Apply today and help us build a sustainable future together.

Smurfit Westrock reserve the right to only shortlist candidates who meet both the Essential and Desirable Criteria.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief; political opinion; race; age; sexual orientation; or, whether they are married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment.

We practice equality of opportunity in employment and select the best person for the job.

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