About The Role

The Business Development Lead role requires a dynamic and self-motivated professional to grow the sales efforts in the FMCG sector. With a remit to increase the size and strength of our client relationships and project sales through a focus on innovation opportunities in science, technology, manufacturing, packaging and sustainability. Your objective is to identify new commercial opportunities to exploit our skills and experience for the benefit of our clients. In addition to introducing new prospects, an important part of your role will include working closely with the Head of FMCG and our team of client managers, project leaders and technical specialists, to support them during the sales journey, writing proposals, and closing sales. If you can spot trends, create opportunities in the market, love talking with (and listening to!) prospective and current clients to generate leads, enjoy networking and nurturing prospects - then you will have fun and thrive here!

Job Duties and Responsibilities
  • Proactive sales outreach to originate opportunities for current and target FMCG clients
  • Maintain frequent contact with prospects involving email, calls, video conferences and site visits, which are anticipated to require approximately, one week of international travel each month
  • Translate client problems, briefs and RFPs into clear objectives with scoped tasks and deliverables aligned to the client’s view of successful outcomes
  • Provide subject matter expertise during the sales journey and work with capability experts to close and deliver profitable sales
  • Support the Head of FMCG to define, implement and deliver the annual strategy and sales plan
  • Build and maintain an in-depth knowledge of our end-to-end capabilities and service propositions
  • Maintain market intelligence to help inform strategy and influence the focus of sales activity
  • CRM maintenance to manage the sales pipeline and provide regular forecast reporting
  • Promote and demonstrate teamwork and collaboration within the FMCG sector and across the business
  • Work with Project Leaders to review proposals and act as the ‘voice’ of the client
  • Create, implement and maintain an account plan for each client
  • Develop compelling sales collateral to support the sales journey

About You

Skills and Attributes
  • Excellent people skills and high emotional intelligence, with an aptitude for building long-term, trusted relationships
  • Extensive experience in a sales-focused environment (sales meetings, negotiations, programme planning, etc.) with the ability to identify sales opportunities.
  • Experience of manufacturing, automation, packaging, and sustainability within an FMCG/CPG environment
  • Strong know-how of sustainable materials, ingredients and processes with a passion for innovation.
  • Willing and available to travel regularly to visit client sites in EU and US
  • Use good practice Sales and Account Management processes and methodologies
  • Excellent sales presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Expertise in CRM and forecasting tools
  • Confident working in a fast-paced environment
Experience and Education
  • Senior level experience within an FMCG or consumer health company, or technical consultancy specializing in this area and have an established network of relevant contacts across the US and/or EU
  • Established methodology and proven ability in strategic marketing, networking, lead generation and qualification, supporting proposal writing and closing sales
  • Degree-educated or equivalent experience ideally in a science discipline
  • Extensive experience of selling into multinational companies, as well as start-ups
  • Proven track record of profitable annual sales of >£2M
  • Significant commercial awareness in the following environments: technical/design consultancy; technology start-up; new product development/engineering department
  • Bilingual is advantageous, not essential (Spanish/German)

About Us

Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) is an end-to-end innovation partner, propelling global brands and ambitious start-ups to success. We build breakthrough products and services – from insight to ideas, prototypes to production – bringing innovation to life. Our teams are multi-disciplinary, uniting scientific rigor, design ingenuity, and engineering excellence for consumer and healthcare clients. People-centred, deeply collaborative, and – above all – expert, we’re uniquely positioned to shape the future for consumers, patients, and industry. Even our ownership model is innovative: We’re 100% owned by our employees, ensuring an open culture and a total commitment to our projects’ success. As part of our benefits package we offer:

  • flexible working
  • a discretionary bonus
  • excellent learning and development opportunities
  • a 12% non-contributory pension
  • private healthcare
  • electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme
  • share incentive plan
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

 

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