Business Development Manager
Posted Updated
Reporting to the Head of Dealer Operations, the Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying, developing and converting new commercial opportunities across Ireland. The role will build a strong sales pipeline, win new fleet, SME and strategic accounts, and grow revenue and market share across the Group’s vehicle, parts and aftersales offering. The key focus is sustainable, profitable growth through proactive prospecting, consultative selling and long-term customer relationships.
1. New Business Development: Identify, target and win new fleet, SME, corporate and strategic customers across Ireland. Build relationships with key decision-makers and position Harris Group’s vehicle, parts and aftersales solutions against their operational and commercial needs. 2. Pipeline and Sales Management: Take ownership of a self-generated sales pipeline from prospecting and qualification through to proposal, negotiation, close and onboarding. Maintain accurate CRM records, provide reliable forecasts and consistently achieve agreed revenue, margin and activity targets. 3. Commercial Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute territory and sector plans aligned with Company objectives. Prioritise high-potential markets, customer segments and routes to market, and translate insights into clear account acquisition and growth actions. 4. Customer Needs and Solution Development: Develop a strong understanding of each prospect’s business, fleet requirements and commercial challenges. Work with internal product, finance, parts and aftersales teams to create compelling, practical and commercially viable solutions. 5. Market and Competitor Analysis: Monitor customer trends, competitor activity, emerging technologies and developments in commercial vehicles and EVs. Use market intelligence to identify new revenue opportunities and inform pricing, product positioning and sales priorities. 6. Proposals and Tenders: Prepare and present professional proposals, business cases and tender submissions tailored to customer requirements. Coordinate input from relevant internal stakeholders and ensure submissions are accurate, competitive and completed on time. 7. Relationship and Account Development: Build credibility and long-term relationships with prospective and newly acquired customers. Support a smooth handover and onboarding process, identify opportunities to expand the relationship and help secure repeat and additional business. 8. Networking and Brand Representation: Represent Harris Group at customer meetings, industry events, networking forums and product demonstrations. Proactively develop referral channels and strategic partnerships that generate qualified opportunities and strengthen the Group’s market presence. 9. Commercial Negotiation: Lead commercial discussions and negotiate pricing, terms and contracts within agreed authority and margin parameters. Work with finance, legal and operational stakeholders to secure compliant, sustainable and mutually beneficial agreements. 10. Reporting and Cross-Functional Collaboration: Report on pipeline health, conversion, revenue, margin, market activity and key performance indicators. Share customer and market feedback with senior management and collaborate across sales, marketing, operations, finance and aftersales to deliver a consistent customer experience. |
- Proven experience in business development or B2B sales, ideally within the automotive, commercial vehicle, fleet, mobility or a related sector.
- A proven record of prospecting, developing a qualified pipeline and achieving or exceeding sales and margin targets.
- Knowledge of the EV market, fleet requirements, vehicle funding and relevant routes to market.
- Excellent consultative selling, interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.
- Strong commercial judgement, analytical ability and confidence interpreting pipeline and performance data.
- Strategic thinking, business acumen and the ability to translate market insight into practical sales activity.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with new customers and senior stakeholders.
- Strong negotiation, influencing and closing skills.
- Experience of market research, lead generation, account planning and tender or proposal development.
- Proficiency in CRM software, pipeline management.
- Project management and organisational skills.
- Understanding of financial and budgeting concepts.
- Excellent MS Office skills.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Flexible with regards to travel and working hours.
- Competitive basic salary
- OTE commission plan
- Company vehicle
- Defined Contribution Company Pension Plan 5% Matched
- 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Cycle to Work Scheme