Laboratory Commercial Development Manager

Summary:

Are you a results-driven professional with a knack for business development? Do you want to lead a team and play a key role in growing our commercial lab business?

We're looking for a Laboratory Commercial Development Manager to join our team in Farnborough. This is an exciting role where you'll be responsible for identifying, winning, and managing new commercial contracts. You'll be managing existing customer relationships and their expectations, ensuring we meet their needs while also growing our business with new clients. This isn't just about sales; it's about making a real impact by helping us maintain a profitable and successful lab.

In this role, you'll be in charge of a portfolio of business worth over £7 million. You'll be the one promoting South East Water as a leader in lab analysis, attending networking events, and finding new opportunities. You’ll be managing a team of direct reports including our lab couriers, commercial account managers, and lab services team. This is a fantastic chance to apply your technical knowledge and commercial skills in a supportive, flexible environment. You'll be working closely with our Lab Manager and other teams, so strong communication skills are a must.

A science background is crucial, along with significant experience in account management and sales. You are comfortable pitching our services to customers via a dedicated website, in person events and cold calling. It would be advantageous if you have worked in a UKAS accredited laboratory, but this isn’t essential.

If you're a seasoned expert looking for your next big challenge, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Main responsibilities:

• Manage existing commercial contracts and income streams, making sure we hit our income, profitability, and service level targets.
• Identify and explore new commercial opportunities, and develop proposals for potential new work.
• Work with our lab teams to successfully implement new commercial contracts.
• Represent South East Water as a leader in laboratory analysis at relevant industry events and forums.
• Manage a commercial budget and ensure it aligns with business goals.

What you’ll need:

Skills / Qualifications / Experience

• A degree in a science-related field.
• Experience in a similar role with at least 5 years of experience in account management.
• A proven track record in sales and account management.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with people from all backgrounds.
• Budgetary experience.
• The ability to confidently chase up results and challenge processes when needed.
• A proactive and organised approach to your work.

It will be a bonus if you have:

• Experience working in the water industry or with a UKAS-accredited lab.

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We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

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What can you expect from your recruitment?

• To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career’s website.
• It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water.
• Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

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If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, apply now!

South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.

Compensation package:

£50,000 - £60,000 depending on experience + car allowance of £6,254