Apply Now Shortlist Back to search results

Sales Development Manager
Sector: Shelf Ready Packaging - Corrugated (Food and Retail)
Territory: National coverage (Hybrid working)
Package: Basic salary: £52,500 + bonus, company car/allowance & benefits

Protecting What Matters, Together
At Macfarlane Packaging, we are dedicated to protecting what matters most—our people, our customers, communities, and the environment. Our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability, and continual improvement creates a collaborative, supportive, and friendly workplace where you can build a rewarding career.

With over 75 years of history, we offer stability, ongoing growth, and the opportunity for personal and professional development. Our fast-paced, results-driven environment will challenge you but also give you the satisfaction of directly contributing to our success.

We offer competitive pay and adaptable benefits to make your rewards package go further. We also prioritise work-life balance and flexibility, empowering you to manage what’s most important. If you value commitment, teamwork, adaptability, and learning, join us to drive change and enable businesses to plan for a better future.

The Business Development Manager Role
Nelsons for cartons & packaging, based in Leicester are part of the Macfarlane Packaging Group. As part of our continued growth plans, we are seeking to hire a Sales Development Manager who can build on our success and further extend our national coverage with the provision of corrugated shelf-ready packaging to food & retail markets.

Your role will be dual in terms of both generating new business via targeting prospects, but also to maintain and increase sales from within our existing customers. Sales can include conventional corrugated supply and associated products.

There will be a strong emphasis also on forging strong internal relationships with Macfarlane’s key sites and teams to help pull through enquiries and pursue leads nationally, whilst ensuring service levels are maintained.

Sales Development Manager Key Responsibilities

Cold calling and generating leads and following them up to establish contacts with potential new customers.
Maintaining and growing existing account base.
Preparing targeted commercial proposal maximising the profitability to Macfarlane Packaging, to present them effectively to the customer and then ensure a comprehensive follow up.
Organizing and running multi-functional meetings/teams with customers.
Understanding and utilising internal CRM and Dynamic systems.
Co-ordinating and managing the total relationship between customer and Macfarlane Packaging – working with regional internal management teams, procurement, logistics and customer services. Ensuring high level of professionalism and commitment to the customer.
Attending food and trade shows with the aim of generating new business opportunities.
Develop and designing shelf ready packaging solutions
Monitoring stock levels, ensuring forecasts are adhered to.
Maintain high standards of sales administration.
Utilise CRM systems to follow up on leads and quotations.
Showcase additional products and solutions within the group.

What you will bring

Our role will ideally suit someone who is keen to improve their corrugated knowledge and become an expert in Corrugated /Corrugated SRP, Retail, Display and Print.

The successful applicant will also ideally meet the following criteria…

Some prior experience of selling corrugated solutions
An understanding value engineering
Professional stature and ability to gain customer credibility
Self-motivated, persistent, and entrepreneurial
Logical and analytical – able to develop, structure and present sales and negotiation arguments at all customer hierarchy levels
Ability and desire to network
Ability and desire to listen to customers and identify customers’ needs.
Ability to work independently – without needing supporting services/personnel but understanding the need to communicate internally (i.e. a team player who doesn’t need a team to do their job)
Accurately interpret customers’ requirements, with the ability to present correct solutions
Full, valid UK driving licence
Computer literate with the ability to compose professional presentations and use standard office software
Asking the correct and relevant questions to ensure concise information to competitively quote

What you will get
We offer a competitive salary, with rewarding bonus/incentive schemes, and flexible benefits including:

30 days annual leave (rising with service) including all public/bank holidays
Contributory pension scheme
Range of company cars or cash allowance (including hybrid/electric) for qualifying job roles
Employee assistance program to support & advise with well-being & any issues

Shape Your Future with Us
We empower our people to achieve their ambitions. Whether you’re seeking leadership opportunities or specialist training, we provide structured career pathways for growth—including accredited programs with the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) and the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP). The possibilities are limitless.

Ready to Drive Business Growth?
We’re moving fast to find the right candidate, so apply now! Click ‘Apply’ to submit your up-to-date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

No recruitment agencies, please.