Are you a driven, high calibre, talented and creative Specification Focused A&D Sales Professional with experience and a proven track record in promoting Commercial Interior Products with a   network of connections and relationships with Architects, Interior Designers, End Users, Furniture and Upholstery Manufacturers, Dealer       Partners and Contractors?

If so, we are working with a market leading Manufacturer of highly sustainable and design-led Fabrics who is seeking to recruit a Business Development Manager to join their well-established French team with responsibility for promoting their full products and solutions in a multi-functional capacity ultimately responsible for driving business growth by generating and maximising opportunities for sales through the development of customer relationships and promotion of this iconic brand.

 Key results

• Develop sales and brand presence within the Western France contract fabric market.
• Specification sales to designers and specifying end-users, including hotels and cruise lines related companies.
• Promote and sell our client’s full range of fabrics to furniture manufacturers/upholsterers, as well as curtain makers and contractors.
• Maintain clients’, designers’ and other specifiers’ thorough knowledge of the company’s full product and service offering
• Deliver customer excellence through,
• Enhanced and strategic customer relationships.
• Commercial contract negotiation.
• The assurance of an effective sales process, including liaison with internal colleagues and stakeholders.
• Promotion of the brand.
• Ensure key financial and scheduled targets are met.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the marketplace, and territory and maximise all relevant opportunities.
• Ensure relevant information and feedback are reported in a timely manner using the appropriate tools and software.

Competencies

• Business development within specification sales.
• Strong relationship-building skills and demonstrable customer excellence.
• Excellent communication, presentation, networking and selling skills.
• Organisational, administrative and time management skills with the ability to multitask.
• Ability to work and take initiative autonomously.
• Attention to detail and ability to problem solve, especially whilst under pressure.
• Analytical and forecasting abilities based on accurate and relevant information.
• Competence across a range of Microsoft and bespoke software applications.
• Commitment to own professional development and skills.
• A self-motivated and positive approach.
• Working knowledge of the English language.

Objectives, Appraisal and Key Leadership Principles

Specific objectives and targets will be established in line with the company’s performance management system with Key Leadership Principles running concurrently alongside the duties of the role.

• ISO compliance – Company Quality Policy
• To understand the company policy on quality
• To be responsible for the quality of own work.
• To act ethically towards customers and suppliers
• To abide by the applicable Health and Safety rules.
• To report occurrences which have affected or may affect the quality of products or services.
• To participate in own personal development and maintain records.
• To be familiar with the applicable quality system documents and work according to the latest versions.
• Assist and support company best practices on a corporate basis.
• Support the company mission statement and embrace the high-performance culture within the group.
• Duty to understand and apply company mission, goals, and key principles.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required – Essential

To be considered Candidates must ideally be located centrally to the region and have an excellent working knowledge of who’s who and the inner ways and workings of the A&D and end-user marketplaces.

To be considered Candidates MUST have at least 3-5 years of experience promoting an interior design-led product or service offering (Fabrics, Textiles, Acoustics, Wall coverings, Floor coverings etc.) along with an in-depth understanding of the specification sales cycle, sustainability, design and what that entails.

To be considered Candidates must have a network of relationships and connections within the A&D, Contractor and End User marketplace along with sound knowledge of the commercial, hospitality and marine sectors.

• Experience in long-term project selling cycles
• Evidence of stability and success in similar previous roles
• Must have a growth mindset and must be a business development-driven field sales professional
• Team player
• Full driving license
• Entrepreneurial profile: High motivation, dynamism and autonomy to develop your own business on the specified territory, with methodology and constant focus.
• A natural networker, at ease with building relationships at all levels, and identifying the decision-makers

A driven sales professional who is able to grow the existing account base and confident working on new and exciting design-led projects

Location: Western France – Ideal locations: Nantes, Poitiers, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, but not limited to within Western France.