The Animal People Recruitment
Business Development Manager (Pet Industry)
Location: Field-Based | Regular Travel to Oxfordshire HQ Required
Salary: Up to £42,000 DOE + Performance Bonus + Company Car Following Successful Probation
Build Something. Make Your Mark.
Are you an ambitious pet industry sales professional looking for more than just another territory?
Do you want the opportunity to play a key role in growing a business, increasing market share and helping shape the future of a successful pet wholesale company?
We're partnering exclusively with a growing, founder-led pet wholesale business that is investing in its first dedicated commercial hire to support the next phase of growth.
This is a rare opportunity to join a business with genuine momentum, strong foundations and exciting ambitions for the future.
About The Business
Our client has established a strong reputation within the pet industry, developing long-standing relationships with independent retailers and building a portfolio of premium products that customers genuinely want to stock.
Having successfully built the business and created a loyal customer base, they are now looking for a commercially minded Business Development Manager to help unlock the next stage of growth.
Working directly alongside the founder and leadership team, you'll have genuine autonomy, influence and visibility across the business.
The Opportunity
This is not a maintenance account management role.
We're looking for someone who enjoys creating opportunities, growing customer relationships, identifying commercial opportunities and driving sales growth.
You'll be responsible for:
- Growing and developing existing independent retail accounts
- Reactivating dormant customers
- Opening new stockists and business opportunities
- Increasing distribution across your territory
- Building strong retailer partnerships
- Identifying opportunities to increase market share
- Delivering product training and support where required
- Providing market feedback and commercial insight
- Contributing ideas to support wider business growth
The customer base already exists, but significant opportunity remains to increase spend, strengthen relationships and develop new opportunities.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12 months you will:
- Deliver measurable sales growth
- Increase customer engagement and account penetration
- Win new business opportunities
- Grow distribution across your territory
- Bring fresh ideas and commercial insight into the business
- Become a trusted and influential member of the team
About You
To be considered, you'll need:
- Previous field sales experience within the pet industry
- Experience managing and developing independent retail customers
- A proven track record of growing sales and developing customer relationships
- Strong commercial awareness and business acumen
- Confidence working autonomously
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills
- A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset
- Full UK driving licence
You'll be someone who enjoys taking ownership, spotting opportunities and making things happen.
Most importantly, you'll be ambitious.
We're looking for someone who sees this as more than just their next job. Someone who wants to grow alongside the business and has aspirations to develop into a senior commercial or sales leadership role in the future.
Why Join?
- Join a growing pet wholesale business with genuine momentum
- Work directly with the founder and leadership team
- Make a visible impact from day one
- Enjoy autonomy and responsibility
- Opportunity to influence the future direction of the sales function
- Clear long-term progression opportunities as the business grows
Package
- Salary up to £42,000 DOE
- Performance-related bonus
- Company vehicle following successful probation
- Flexible field-based working
- Ongoing development and progression opportunities
Please note: Applicants must have previous pet industry sales experience and be located within a commutable distance of the Oxfordshire head office.
To apply for this job please visit www.reed.co.uk.
Make this application stronger
Use these quick checks before applying so your CV, interview preparation and job search are better matched to this vacancy.
Before you apply
Check the key details and make sure the role matches what you are looking for.
- Review the job title, company, location, salary and working pattern if provided.
- Check the skills, experience or qualifications requested by the employer.
- Make sure the commute, hours and contract type are realistic for you.
Tailor your CV
For Engineering Jobs, highlight the most relevant skills, experience and achievements linked to this type of work. Keep it honest, clear and focused on what the employer is asking for.
Use the CV Builder or browse Career Advice.
Prepare for interview
If your application is successful, prepare simple examples that show your motivation, strengths and suitability.
Keep searching smarter
Do not rely on one application. Keep searching similar roles and set up alerts so new vacancies reach you faster.