Commercial Development Manager

Location: Leeds
Salary: 45 -55k exp depending + Company Benefits
Job Type: Full Time | Permanent

Help Shape the Future of a Growing Business

We're looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Commercial Development Manager to join our growing business and play a key role in our next stage of growth.
This is far more than a traditional sales role. It's an opportunity to become a trusted member of the leadership team, working closely with the Directors to develop customer relationships, drive commercial growth, lead business initiatives and contribute to the wider success of the organisation.
If you enjoy building long-term customer partnerships, solving problems, making decisions and getting involved in all aspects of a fast-moving SME, we'd love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

As Commercial Development Manager, you'll be responsible for developing existing customer relationships, identifying new commercial opportunities and helping shape the future direction of the business.
You'll work closely with customers to understand their challenges, identify opportunities to expand business and provide commercially focused solutions backed by strong technical product knowledge.
Alongside customer development, you'll support business improvement projects, contribute to strategic decisions and play an active role within the management team.
This is a varied, hands-on position where no two days are the same.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Development & Sales Growth

• Build strong, long-term relationships with existing customers.
• Become a trusted commercial partner and key point of contact.
• Identify opportunities to increase customer spend and expand product penetration.
• Reactivate dormant accounts and win back lost business.
• Understand customers' businesses, projects and future requirements.
• Generate sustainable sales growth through relationship development rather than transactional selling.
• Attend customer meetings and site visits where appropriate.
• Monitor market activity and identify opportunities for growth.

Technical & Commercial Support

• Develop an in-depth understanding of our products and markets.
• Build credibility through technical knowledge and commercial expertise.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new products and solutions.
• Work closely with suppliers and internal teams to meet customer requirements.
• Attend supplier training, product demonstrations and industry events where required.

Leadership & Business Support

• Work closely with the Directors to support the continued growth of the business.
• Take ownership of projects and see them through to successful completion.
• Support business improvement initiatives and help develop more efficient processes.
• Collaborate across departments to remove barriers and improve performance.
• Act as a trusted member of the management team, contributing ideas and solutions.

People & Team Support

• Support managers with day-to-day people management matters where appropriate.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding and employee development.
• Help foster a positive, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Be confident handling challenging conversations professionally and constructively.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong commercial awareness with excellent relationship-building skills and a proactive approach to business.
You'll be comfortable making decisions, working independently and taking ownership of your responsibilities while supporting colleagues across the wider business.
You'll thrive in an SME environment where flexibility, initiative and a willingness to get involved are highly valued.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Proven experience developing customer relationships and delivering sales growth.
• Experience working with technical, industrial or engineering-related products.
• Commercially minded with the ability to identify business opportunities.
• Experience leading or managing people.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and take ownership of outcomes.
• Experience working within an SME, branch or distribution environment.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

Experience in one or more of the following sectors would be advantageous:

• Electrical wholesale
• Industrial distribution
• Security and access control
• Automation
• Engineering products
• HVAC
• Technical distribution

Experience with branch management, supplier management, stock control or P&L responsibility would also be beneficial.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured by the impact you make, including:

• Growing and developing existing customer accounts.
• Increasing product penetration across the customer base.
• Successfully reactivating dormant customers.
• Building lasting customer relationships.
• Delivering commercial projects and business improvements.
• Making a positive contribution to the wider management team.
• Supporting the continued growth and success of the business.