Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager
Location: Hybrid – c. twice per month in Manchester office requirement
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 + 30% OTE + Car Allowance
Our client is a well-established and highly regarded specialist analytical laboratory, recognised as a market leader in their niche testing services across the UK and internationally. Operating across multiple UK sites, they serve clients across environmental, occupational, food/feed and industrial sectors.
They are currently looking for an experienced Business Development Manager to contribute to the commercial growth of their specialist laboratory division. This is a strategic, high-autonomy role at the heart of a small and agile sales team, with direct responsibility for new business generation, key account oversight, and market expansion – both domestically and internationally. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving an ambitious growth target and building out a sustainable commercial pipeline.
If you are a commercially driven sales professional from the environmental testing, analytical services, or broader scientific sector and you’re looking for a role where you’ll make a real, visible impact with performance measured on end results and not chasing of KPIs this is worth a conversation.
About the role
* Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities across UK and international markets, with a primary focus on cold sales and new client acquisition.
* Developing and executing a business development strategy aligned to the division's growth ambitions across environmental, food & feed, occupational hygiene, and industrial sectors.
* Managing and growing relationships with key accounts, with quarterly catch ups and identifying opportunities to introduce new or expanded services.
* Leading on the preparation and delivery of compelling commercial proposals and presentations to prospective clients.
* Overseeing market intelligence; monitoring sector trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities in specialist testing markets.
* Collaborating with laboratory operations and technical teams to ensure a seamless client journey from proposal to delivery.
* Reporting on pipeline, activity, and revenue performance, contributing to commercial planning and growth strategy.
* Occasional UK and international travel as required to attend client meetings, industry events, and trade shows.
About you
* A demonstrable track record in business development or technical sales within the environmental testing, analytical laboratory, or closely aligned scientific services sector.
* Strong new business instinct; comfortable with cold sales, pipeline development from scratch, and managing a full sales cycle.
* Commercial acumen and the ability to negotiate and close complex, high-value contracts.
* Excellent communication and presentation skills, confident engaging with technical specialists and senior decision-makers alike.
* Ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy, managing your own priorities within a small commercial team.
* Experience using CRM systems (Salesforce experience advantageous) alongside maintaining accurate pipeline records.
* Experience managing international client relationships or working with overseas markets would be desirable but, not essential.
* Degree-level education in a scientific, business, or related discipline.
What’s great about this role?
* A high-autonomy, senior commercial role in a genuine market leader, with real influence on the direction and growth of the business.
* Competitive package up to £70,000 base with 30% OTE on top commission paid quarterly and a car allowance.
* Flexible hybrid working, typically two visits to the Manchester office per month.
* Backed by a major European group providing financial stability and growth investment.
* A culture that values impact over process - less corporate, more entrepreneurial. This is a role for someone who wants to own outcomes.
* Opportunity to develop and shape the commercial strategy across a growing division.
If you’re an experienced Business Development Manager from the analytical or environmental testing sector and you’re looking for a role with genuine commercial impact, apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion