Business Development Manager
igd Open · verified Oct 22, 2026 At a glance
Manager-level Business Development role at igd. Watford · full-time.
Pay not stated Business Development Manager salary
growthroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build rapport with prospective clients, whether they are cold or already engaged, and earn their trust
- Run sales from first contact through closing, matching proposed solutions to each client’s needs
- Find new prospects, grow the client base and keep pipeline records current for forecasts and follow-ups
- Work with internal teams to make client onboarding smooth and provide strong service
- Attend industry gatherings and networking events to build connections in FMCG and retail
What you bring
- At least two years in a quota-based sales role, with a record of reaching and surpassing targets
- At least two years in B2B sales and experience serving FMCG or retail clients
- You use a consultative sales style and can build and maintain a healthy pipeline
Who this fits
This manager-level role suits someone comfortable developing new business, speaking with senior decision-makers in person and virtually, and working both independently and with colleagues. The position uses a hybrid home-and-office setup in Watford.
From the employer
At IGD, we’re proud to be a Great Place to Work, where our people are empowered to grow, inspired to lead and ready to make a difference. At the heart of that experience is how we attract, welcome, and support new colleagues to join us.
That’s where you come in.
We’re looking for a Business Development Manager
who will
play a key role in driving IGD’s commercial activity. Most importantly, you will be a people person and have a background in developing new business. The client is at the heart of everything we do, so we are looking for someone who is passionate about driving new business and has a consultative approach to client acquisition.
Our business is growing. Our client loyalty is high, and to continue to drive our double-digit growth, we need to acquire new clients. Our Online service has over 400 subscribers worldwide, predominantly manufacturers. We also have a number of retailers and a range of service suppliers in our portfolio of accounts.
What you’ll do
- Build strong relationships with both cold and warm leads, creating trust and rapport from the outset.
- Take full ownership of the sales process – from initial outreach through to successful conversion.
- Understand each client’s unique challenges and objectives, using a consultative approach to identify the right solutions.
- Proactively seek out new business opportunities to drive IGD’s growth and expand our client base.
- Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure a seamless onboarding experience and deliver exceptional client service.
- Maintain and manage a robust pipeline, ensuring accurate forecasting and timely follow-ups.
- Represent IGD at industry events and networking opportunities to strengthen our presence in the FMCG and retail sectors.
What we’re looking for
- You have a proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets with 2 years + experience in a quota carrying role
- You will have at least 2+ years’ experience in a B2B and experience of working with FMCG and/or retail clients
- You have a consultative approach to sales and demonstrable skills in both building and managing robust pipelines
- You will have the confidence to talk with senior decision makers, in-person and virtually
- You are self-motivated, comfortable working on your own initiative whilst also being a keen collaborator and team player
- You are proactive, resilient and tenacious with a ‘can do’ attitude, adept at creative problem solving both internally and externally
- You have excellent networking skills and ideally have an existing network of contacts in the FMCG/Retail space
- Experience of a high-performance and customer-focused culture
- Proven ability to adapt to change and embrace new products and services
- Strong commercial acumen with a good understanding of business issues
- You are looking for a company in which to make a real difference and take your career to the next level
The rewards
We offer a range of benefits, including a market leading pension, a bonus scheme, the ability to buy and sell annual leave plus a generous medical insurance package. You will have a great work-life balance, where you are empowered & trusted to manage your time.
The location
We are operating a hybrid approach to working with a mix of home and office-based working. We are based in a very accessible location within the M25, just 20 miles from Central London.
Our behaviours
We're hungry for better
We solve it together
We make it happen
We say what needs to be said
More about our people
We’re looking for inspiring professionals; talented people who seek personal and career growth and are ambitious to develop their potential and unlock opportunities for society, for our customers and themselves.
We seek and attract the very best people and create an environment that supports and includes them. We aim to encourage a culture where people can be themselves and be valued for their contribution. We therefore welcome applications from diverse candidates. This includes people with disabilities, so please discuss any adjustments that you may require throughout the selection and assessment process.
More about IGD
At IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution), we serve as a unique, impartial force for good, driven by our charitable status and commitment to public benefit. Our purpose is clear: to unite and inspire everyone to deliver a thriving food system. We achieve this by acting as a trusted convener, uniting stakeholders from across the entire agrifood supply chain to address critical challenges.
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