The purpose of the Business Development Manager role is to develop and execute key sales activities and pursue the acquisition of new business to maximize our business performance. The Business Development Manager role will link the strategic direction from the National Account Manager with tactical store execution to drive sales of our strategic retail customers. They will be responsible for working with Regional Sales Managers and field sales against account opportunities, engaging the required Wakefield resources to effectively develop and close opportunities, and ensure excellence in partnering and servicing new key accounts to Wakefield. The Business Development Manager will work closely with all field levels of our strategic retail customers including store personnel, dealers, district managers, and regional managers.

Key Accountabilities:

• Identify and communicate sales opportunities by store and region to field sales force and National Account Manager to maximize performance
• Engage regional sales management and the field sales force to prioritize sales activity and tactics regionally, ensuring a coordinated selling approach.
• Share expertise and identify opportunities and threats in both retail store operations and auto service with internal and customer stakeholders
• Develop sales-driving initiatives in partnership with National Account Manager, Marketing and customer
• Lead training program development for stores and collaborate with customer and internal stakeholders on content and facilitation options
• Utilize internal and customer data to drive sales and hunt new opportunities
• Develop grass-roots programs with key dealers to engage store personnel on motor oil features and oil change services
• Ongoing oversight and key account management responsibility for key account performance, problem-resolution, broadening/deepening planning at highest levels of excellence, working collaboratively with Wakefield resources to ensure premium customer experience with Wakefield organization.
• Ability to prospect and bring in new business within targeted markets and channels
• Special projects and participation as required.

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated seasoned key account development (national/significant) and account management skills and abilities.
• Strong presentation, written, and oral communication skills required for interaction with internal and external clients.
• Strong financial acumen and negotiating skills.
• Conceptual and strategic thinker.
• Energetic, motivated, enthusiastic, and driven by results.
• Demonstrated excellence in customer relations at all levels within complex organization.
• Ability to creatively solve problems with a mutually beneficial result for client and Wakefield.
• Proven ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage varied, time sensitive workloads.
• Customer focused and dedicated to exceeding the expectations of internal and external clients.

Direct Managerial / Supervisory Responsibility

• No direct reports; demonstrated ability to influence without authority and leverage sales resources reporting directly to Wakefield Sales Managers.

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Sales or Marketing with experience in complex account development.
• Experience working in automotive and/or retail operations is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage large B2B and B2C accounts.
• Proven account development, onboarding, and account management skills including strategic planning and execution, creativity, communication, and administration.
• Proficient at generating specific customer-based opportunities through regional and national analysis.
• Excellent Microsoft Suite experience. Experience using a CRM preferred. Willingness to learn and manipulate customer specific software to provide insight into the business and identify gaps and areas for improvement.

Working Conditions:

• Office environment and Store environment
• National/International travel as required.