Job Introduction

We have a rare and exciting opportunity for a Head of Business Development to join our team! This role involves supporting the Executive Director in acquiring new business and expanding our retail partnerships portfolio in the UK and International markets. Key responsibilities include developing strategic plans for sales growth, identifying new wholesale partnerships, exploring international market opportunities, and maximizing sales potential.

The successful candidate will be an established Business Development or Sales Director in the general merchandise sector, ideally with experience in greetings cards or related areas. They should have a strong background in new business development, international experience (especially in the USA), and a track record of managing partnerships with large retailers. Excellent interpersonal skills and a knack for building long-lasting relationships are a must.

Based at Junction 41 in Wakefield, with free parking and a flexible, hybrid way of working, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in our team. Colleagues are required to work in the office for a minimum of 1-2 days per week, with the expectation of additional attendance when needed.

Role Responsibility

• Developing and executing strategic plans to achieve sales growth targets
• To identify opportunities, develop plans and drive implementation for new UK wholesale partnerships
• To identify opportunities, develop plans and drive implementation of market entry and routes to market for new international territories
• Maximising sales potential across the portfolio by:
  • Identifying key trends and communicating feedback to the wider business
  • Exploring all category and product opportunities and maximising routes to market, ensuring the end consumer is at the heart of all decisions and brand consistency across all touch points
• Analyse and recommend the best possible partner / model for each new territory
• To lead cross functional teams to deliver end to end project plans to open new markets with new partners
• Taking ownership of contract negotiations, contracts and trading terms, working closely with legal
• Developing, maintaining and operating a competitive blueprint for UK and International partners
• Own the ‘critical path’ to ensure all UK and International partnership agreements are operational and commercially executed to time and budget
• Working with cross functional stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency for UK and International partners, ensuring systems and processes are in place to support partner sales generation and brand consistency. This will range from supply chain optimisation, through to import tariff mitigation

The Ideal Candidate

• An established Business Development or Sales Director within the general merchandise sector (greetings cards – or closely related – would be a significant advantage) with similar routes to market to Card Factory
• Extensive new business development and international experience – especially in the USA
• Experience of working with various partnership models, including developing sophisticated wholesale relationships with some of the world’s largest retailers
• A successful track record of international brand development and partner management
• Experience of selling branded and non-brand propositions is ideal
• International commercial experience is key
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build strong, long lasting relationships internally and externally
• Experience of working with contracts from drafting to negotiating and working with legal teams

No agencies please!

About the Company

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland.  In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer.  This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.  

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being.

Benefits

• 25% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
• Save As You Earn scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Support       
  • Financial Education Tools
  • Salary Advance
• Seasonal incentive schemes
• Retail Management Apprenticeship Programmes with local providers with access to a virtual internal network for learning together
• Discounted mobile phone contracts
• Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing
• Enhanced Family leave

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. 

No agencies, please.

Sportswift Ltd T/A cardfactory