Contract Furniture Group
Sales & Business Development Manager
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We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Sales & Business Development Manager to join our growing business and take responsibility for developing new opportunities across the fit-out, hospitality, hotel and student accommodation sectors.
This is a key commercial role for someone who understands the market, has an established network of industry contacts and is confident creating and converting opportunities from their own initiative. We are looking for someone who can hit the ground running.
The Role
You will be responsible for identifying, developing and winning new business, whilst strengthening relationships with existing clients and partners.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fit-out, interiors, FF&E, contract furniture and/or furniture manufacturing, with a proven understanding of the requirements of hotel and student accommodation projects.
You will be expected to develop relationships early in the project lifecycle, influence specifications, identify upcoming opportunities and work closely with clients, contractors, designers and our internal teams to develop commercially successful solutions.
This is a role for someone who is comfortable creating their own opportunities rather than waiting for leads to arrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a targeted business development strategy across the fit-out, hospitality and student accommodation sectors.
- Identify upcoming developments and projects at an early stage and establish relationships with key decision-makers.
- Develop strong relationships with developers, hotel operators, student accommodation providers, main contractors, fit-out contractors, architects, designers, QSs and procurement teams.
- Generate new business through your existing network, market knowledge, referrals, introductions and proactive business development.
- Develop opportunities for both fitted and loose furniture packages, as well as wider FF&E requirements.
- Manage the sales process from initial enquiry and specification through to tender, negotiation and contract award.
- Work closely with our design, estimating, manufacturing and project delivery teams to develop effective and commercially viable solutions.
- Understand client requirements and translate them into appropriate furniture and interior solutions.
- Build long-term relationships that generate repeat and referral business.
- Maintain a strong and accurately forecast sales pipeline.
- Monitor market activity and identify new clients, sectors and commercial opportunities.
- Attend client meetings, site visits, industry events and networking opportunities.
- Negotiate commercially attractive contracts while protecting margins and project profitability.
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About You
We are looking for an established sales or business development professional with a proven track record of winning business.
You will ideally have:
- Significant experience within fit-out, interiors, FF&E, contract furniture or furniture manufacturing.
- Strong experience working within the hotel, hospitality and/or student accommodation sectors.
- An established network of relevant industry contacts.
- Experience selling fitted and/or loose furniture packages.
- A strong understanding of the construction, procurement and fit-out process.
- Experience working with developers, operators, contractors and procurement teams.
- A demonstrable track record of securing significant projects and developing repeat business.
- Excellent commercial, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- The confidence to engage with senior decision-makers.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent organisation and pipeline management.
- A proactive, entrepreneurial approach to business development.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.
The Person
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who makes things happen.
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You will be proactive, commercially driven and confident enough to open doors and develop relationships independently.
You will understand how to find the right people, make the right introductions and identify opportunities before they reach the open tender stage.
You will ideally bring an established network within hotels, student accommodation, fit-out, construction and furniture/FF&E, together with the credibility and experience to turn those relationships into genuine commercial opportunities.
You will be given the freedom and responsibility to develop your market, build your pipeline and make a significant contribution to the growth of the business.
What Success Looks Like
In your first few months, you will be expected to:
- Develop a clear target-client and target-project strategy.
- Build and strengthen relationships with key industry contacts.
- Identify live and future project opportunities.
- Create new opportunities independently.
- Establish a strong and measurable sales pipeline.
- Work collaboratively with our internal teams to develop winning proposals.
- Begin converting opportunities into profitable orders.
Over time, you will become a key driver of our growth across the fit-out, hospitality and student accommodation markets.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing business where you will have genuine ownership of your market and the opportunity to make a visible commercial impact.
For the right person, this is much more than a traditional sales role. You will have the opportunity to develop new markets, build strategic relationships and play a significant part in shaping the future growth of the business.
If you have the experience, relationships and drive to create opportunities and turn them into results, we would like to hear from you.
Apply now with your CV and a brief covering note outlining your relevant experience and the markets and clients you have worked with.
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