Retail Business Development Manager

Role overview

This position is focused on shaping and executing the sales plan for CMS Consumer Business Unit across retail and online channels. The aim is to expand revenue by winning new customers, increasing share of wallet, and unlocking additional business from existing accounts. A key part of the role is building a clear B2C sales approach that sets CMS apart from competitors and strengthens its position as a preferred distributor for both new and current customers and vendors.

What you will do

• Expand business across the CMS customer portfolio by spotting new opportunities and prospects, working closely with Account Management and Product Management teams.
• Build and maintain strong senior-level relationships with customers and vendors through meetings, quarterly business reviews, customer visits, and industry events.
• Improve core account metrics such as supplier ratings, vendor share of wallet, product range development, site visits, joint vendor visits, CRM pipeline quality, and conversion performance.
• Increase revenue from untapped customers and from deeper penetration of new and existing vendor relationships.
• Maintain a high level of sales activity and consistently demonstrate effective selling behaviours.
• Work with Business Development and Vendor Management teams to deliver agreed KPIs, including customer meeting targets, growth in vendors per customer, incremental revenue, and gross profit goals.
• Plan and run regular business review meetings with customers, own the follow-up business plans, and provide ongoing performance updates.
• Contribute to projects that improve automation, productivity, innovation, and operational efficiency across accounts.
• Monitor market movements and industry trends to support sound strategic decisions.
• Train and support customers’ sales teams to a high standard.
• Represent CMS and its vendors at relevant customer events and exhibitions.

Additional responsibilities

• Bring a broad understanding of functions including sales, commercial, marketing, pre-sales, vendor management, and client management.
• Partner with the Retail Management team to build a strong performance culture through strategy setting, resource alignment, action planning, prioritisation, and conflict management.
• Work in line with CMS values and procedures, using initiative to resolve issues without close supervision.
• Show a genuine drive to grow existing and emerging channels.
• Use prior success in retail account management, sales management, or business development within consumer products as a foundation for the role.
• Develop trusted relationships with executive and director-level stakeholders.
• Remain persistent, target-focused, and commercially driven.
• Create pricing approaches that help maximise margin where possible.
• Design customer targets, incentive structures, and rebate schemes.
• Handle customer tender processes and support exclusivity agreements.
• Be prepared to travel for business when required.

Skills and personal qualities

• Strong senior stakeholder relationship management skills.
• Commercial awareness with a constant focus on improving financial performance, process, and culture.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving, high-ownership environment.
• Ability to balance strategic, tactical, and operational priorities and deliver on both short- and long-term goals.
• Excellent time management and organisational ability.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to motivate others.
• Positive, hands-on mindset.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• High standards of integrity and confidentiality.
• Adaptability and solid influencing ability.
• Clear, articulate communication and strong multitasking ability.
• Confidence in meeting expectations and deadlines.

Culture and inclusion

CMS states that a diverse and inclusive workforce is central to its success. The company welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, age, nationality, culture, religion, sexual orientation, and neuro-diversity.

Location

The role is based in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland and is an onsite full-time position.