Business Development Manager – al.ive body (UK/Ireland)
Role: Business Development Manager, al.ive bodyReports To: General ManagerPosition Type: Full-time, Hybrid – split between visiting independent retail clients across UK & Ireland and time in our Belfast officeBrand: al.ive body (part of The Unmarked Group portfolio, alongside frank body, Enxgy and StrengthLab)
A Little About Us
al.ive body was founded in 2020 by Australian interior designers and sisters Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, born from a belief that daily care should be a ritual that feels as beautiful as it is purposeful. From our iconic interlocking bottles and bespoke trays to refined scents and colourways, every detail is designed to turn routines into rituals and spaces into sanctuaries.
We’re proudly Australian-made, 100% palm-oil free, vegan, cruelty-free and built around clever refill systems that make sustainability effortless. Across Body, Baby, Home, Cleaning and Skincare, we combine naturally derived formulations with elevated design because when things look good, they feel good.
The Role
We’re on the hunt for a relationship-obsessed, sales-savvy human to grow al.ive body’s independent retail family across the UK & Ireland think gift stores, garden centres, beauty salons and other small-format specialty spots with great taste. This is a brand-new patch, and it’s yours for the taking.
You’ll be trusted to run your territory like it’s your own business, representing the brand independently, making the calls on fit and account health, and being the reason our stockists feel genuinely looked after every step of the way. Part strategist, part relationship-builder, part walking hype-reel for beautifully designed products – you’ll champion the stockists we already love and go find the next ones.
This is a hybrid role. You’ll split your time between days out visiting independent retail clients across UK & Ireland and days working from our Belfast office. Ideally you’ll want to be based in or around Belfast, with a genuine appetite for regular territory travel.
Key Tasks
1. Client Relationship Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with independent retail accounts across the assigned territory.
Act as the primary point of contact for existing and prospective stockists, ensuring their needs are understood and addressed.
Provide exceptional customer service and ensure high levels of client satisfaction.
Nurture the existing customer base, facilitating and securing replenishment orders.
Own relationships end-to-end – from first outreach through pitch, negotiation and onboarding, to ongoing account management.
2. Sales Strategy & Execution
In conjunction with the General Manager, develop and execute a sales strategy for the independent retail channel to achieve sales targets and business goals.
Identify, prioritise and pursue new independent retail opportunities across the UK/Ireland market, including a clear account acquisition and prioritisation plan.
Identify new business opportunities within existing accounts and through prospecting.
Drive sales growth by cross-selling and up-selling products tailored to account needs.
Assess and secure new accounts in line with business and brand strategy and aesthetic guidelines.
Lead range review, listing and re-listing conversations, and support seasonal/NPD range planning with retail partners.
Negotiate trading terms, promotional plans and in-store visibility in line with brand and margin guidelines.
Represent al.ive body at relevant trade shows, industry events and buyer meetings to build brand presence and open new doors.
Achieve weekly/monthly and annual KPIs; lead negotiations, manage the sales cycle, and close deals to meet or exceed sales quotas.
Ensure all contractual obligations are met and that terms are favourable for both the account and the business.
3. Customer Service
Deliver the highest standard of customer service across every touchpoint.
Continuously strive to enhance the overarching Customer Service Process, ensuring it is clearly articulated, understood, documented and implemented.
Assess and review customer sales for potential tier promotion.
Enter and update customer information in the CRM.
Receive, address and resolve customer complaints in line with customer service standards.
Manage an overarching Complaint Resolution Process, ensuring it is clearly documented, implemented and reviewed/updated as required.
4. Customer Experience & Acquisition
Identify opportunities and processes for continuous improvement in the customer experience, fostering engaged accounts and organic growth.
Proactively identify areas for improvement, potential hurdles or roadblocks for accounts, and work with the team on strategies to resolve and optimise satisfaction.
Monitor account performance (sell-in and sell-through) and identify opportunities for growth.
Work with the Account Management team on new and existing accounts handing over agreed terms and documentation for line forms and vendor setup, and keeping them looped in on changes (pricing, promotions, range updates) that affect ongoing admin.
5. Reporting & Forecasting
Provide regular sales reports, forecasts and insights to senior management regarding pipeline health and market trends.
Track and report on KPIs related to sales activities and client engagement.
Track and document calls, visits and sales activity.
Provide updates on customer growth and suitability for tier promotion.
Maintain accurate pipeline, forecast and account status reporting for the independent channel.
You’ll Probably Be a Great Fit If…
Proven track record of success in a sales or relationship management role.
Experience in B2B sales, account management, or a similar client-facing position.
Minimum 3+ years’ experience in sales and/or customer service, preferably in a retail environment.
Demonstrated experience opening new accounts and channels, not just managing an existing book of business.
Knowledge and passion for al.ive body products, and genuine interest in the personal care, home and beauty category.
Experience in skincare, home, beauty, fashion, gifting and/or FMCG sectors highly regarded.
Degree in Business, Commerce, Marketing or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
The Skills That’ll Make You Shine
Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation, presentation and closing skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels and flex style across independent retail owners and internal stakeholders.
Self-starter, comfortable owning ambiguity and building a channel with minimal local support.
Confident in representing the brand independently to retail partners.
Ability to work independently and manage a portfolio of accounts effectively across a defined territory.
Strong organisational skills and pipeline discipline; comfortable reporting into a remote, international team.
High proficiency in CRM software and sales tools.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
The ability to build long-term relationships with accounts, understanding their needs and tailoring solutions.
Effective at establishing connections within the industry, attending events and leveraging networks to develop opportunities.
Skills in maintaining and nurturing ongoing client relationships, ensuring satisfaction and minimising churn.
Proficient at handling objections, negotiating terms and closing deals effectively.
Ability to self-manage, work methodically and meet deadlines.
Sound like your kind of ritual? We’d love to hear from you.
Skills:b2b Sales Business Development CRM
WHJS1_NI
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