Are you an energetic field-sales or business development professional who thrives on influencing senior stakeholders and unlocking commercial growth?
Ford Credit is seeking a commercially astute Business Development Manager (16-Month Maternity Cover) to champion our FinSimple commercial vehicle proposition across our Southern dealer network.
Operating predominantly in the field (typically 4 days on the road engaging dealer principals and 1 day in the office/remote collaboration), you will act as a trusted business consultant. Dealerships are independent partners, so your success hinges on your ability to interpret market data, build credible relationships, and influence without direct authority to maximise finance penetration across commercial vehicles, leasing, and small fleets.
Why this role?
- High Strategic Impact: Commercial vehicles are central to Ford’s growth strategy, putting your work directly in the spotlight.
- Autonomy & Visibility: Own your territory and partner directly with dealer principals, general managers, and Ford Credit leadership.
- Tools to Succeed: Fully supported with a company car, modern digital tools, and comprehensive product training.
- Drive Commercial Growth: Develop and execute tailored regional growth strategies to maximise Ford Credit penetration across commercial vehicle finance, leasing, and small fleets.
- Influence & Advise: Build credible, trusted relationships with Dealer Principals, Sales Directors, and key dealership stakeholders across the Southern region.
- Translate Data into Action: Analyse dealer sales trends and market intelligence to identify untapped opportunities and construct actionable joint business plans.
- Coach & Enable: Support dealership teams with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to position FinSimple and Ford Lease solutions effectively.
- Field Engagement: Spend ~4 days per week visiting dealer sites across the territory, reviewing performance, sharing best practices, and driving engagement.
Essential:
- Proven track record in B2B field sales, territory account management, or business development.
- Outstanding stakeholder management skills with a demonstrated ability to influence partners without direct authority.
- Strong commercial and analytical acumen—comfortable translating data into practical growth plans.
- Self-motivated, highly organized, and comfortable managing a field-based travel schedule.
- Based in or easily commutable to the Southern Region (ideally within ~1 hour of key territory hubs), with the ability to travel to dealer sites up to 2–2.5 hours away.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable (Not Essential):
- Background in automotive, fleet, asset finance, or commercial leasing (strong field sales professionals from other B2B sectors with high learning agility are warmly encouraged to apply).
- Experience working with franchised dealer networks or independent distribution partners.
Additional Information:
The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favorable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.
This position is based in Dunton, Essex and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton Campus for at least 1 day a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.
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