Business Development Manager

LOCATION: Ltd EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Permanent

Why work for Smiley Monroe:

We’re the world’s biggest producer of ‘endless’ conveyor belts, with locations in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, India, and the USA. We are trusted by manufacturers of materials processing equipment in sectors spanning quarrying, construction & demolition, recycling & waste management, washing systems, and road construction.

Our industry is dynamic and fast-paced. We work hard but like to have fun too. Continuous improvement is at the core of our culture, and our values are unique: we’re passionate about having a safe place to work, we’re determined to succeed, and we believe in being close to our customers and solving their problems.

About the role:

As Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for winning new customers and opening new market opportunities across agreed European territories. You will identify and convert high-potential opportunities, build Smiley Monroe’s presence in priority markets and work cross-functionally to develop commercially and technically sound solutions. The role requires a strategic approach to market development, strong commercial and technical capability, and a proactive, disciplined approach to new business development.

What you'll be doing:

Market and Territory Development

• Develop, own and deliver a focused business development plan for agreed European territories, prioritising German-speaking markets and sectors with strong growth potential.
• Research target markets, customers, competitors and industry trends to identify and prioritise new opportunities.
• Build Smiley Monroe's presence through targeted prospecting, networking, trade shows and appropriate digital channels.

New Customer Acquisition

• Identify, engage and qualify prospective customers, building relationships with the people involved in commercial and technical decisions.
• Understand each prospect's application, priorities and buying process, and shape a clear value proposition around their requirements.
• Manage opportunities from initial contact through technical discussion, quotation, negotiation and deal closure.
• Maintain a healthy, prioritised pipeline through consistent prospecting and follow-up, focusing effort on opportunities with the strongest commercial potential.

Commercial and Technical Solutions

• Build strong knowledge of Smiley Monroe's products, applications and manufacturing capabilities to recommend suitable solutions.
• Work with Product Support, Operations and other internal teams to confirm specifications, lead times and feasibility before making customer commitments.
• Prepare quotations and negotiate within agreed pricing, margin and approval limits.
• Escalate commercial, technical or delivery risks promptly and support practical resolution.

Customer Onboarding and Handover

• Coordinate the onboarding of new customers ensuring a seamless and positive experience.
• Remain accountable for the early-stage customer relationship until an agreed handover point is reached.
• Complete a structured handover to the Account Manager, sharing relevant contacts, commitments, opportunities and risks to support long-term account development.

Planning & Reporting

• Maintain accurate opportunity, activity and customer information in the CRM system.
• Provide reliable pipeline updates, sales forecasts, market insight and feedback on lost opportunities.
• Work with Marketing on focused campaigns and market materials, and provide customer insight that supports product and service development.
• Manage travel and business development activity effectively, focusing time and resources on the strongest opportunities.

About you:

• Demonstrable track record of winning new B2B customers and converting opportunities into profitable sales, preferably within a manufacturing, engineering or industrial environment.
• Fluent in German and English, with the confidence to conduct commercial and technical discussions in both languages.
• Proven experience managing the full new-business sales cycle, from prospecting and qualification through to quotation, negotiation and closure.
• Strong commercial judgement, with experience preparing quotations, negotiating effectively within agreed parameters and recognising commercial risk.
• Ability to understand technical products and applications and translate customer requirements into clear, commercially viable solutions.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with commercial and technical decision-makers across different countries and cultures.
• A structured and disciplined approach to territory planning, pipeline development, opportunity management, follow-up and forecasting.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across Europe to develop markets and customer relationships.

It would be great if you have:

• Experience selling within bulk materials handling, conveyor belting, recycling, quarrying, aggregates or related industrial sectors.
• Experience developing new business within German-speaking or wider European markets.
• Experience building relationships with distributors, OEMs or strategic partners as part of a market development strategy.
• A relevant engineering, technical or commercial qualification.
• Experience using CRM systems to manage sales activity, pipeline and forecasting.

What you will get in return:

• Competitive Pay
• 4 Day Week - Monday to Thursday
• Company Sick Pay
• Income Protection
• Life Cover
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay
• Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health Cash Benefit Plan
• Recruitment Referral Bonus
• Long Service Awards
• Health & Wellbeing Initiatives
• Social Events
• Learning & Development Opportunities

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNTIES EMPLOYER AND WE WELCOME APPLICATIONS FROM ALL SUITABLY QUALIFIED PERSONS

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