Business Development Manager (Next) – Supplier – Leicester (Flex/Hybrid)

Our client is Sri Lanka’s premier end-to-end, full-service apparel manufacturing platform, now with multi-country manufacturing operations.

The position requires deep, established relationships within Next’s Buying and/or Senior Leadership teams, strong product development and/or design knowledge, a clear understanding of Next’s end consumer needs, and an entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently. The successful candidate will act as a strategic partner to Next, shaping product propositions, influencing range direction, and driving sustainable commercial growth by aligning Next’s commercial opportunities with the company’s areas of expertise.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead and execute the Next account growth strategy, delivering sustainable revenue and margin growth
• Leverage deep relationships with Next’s Buying and/or Senior Leadership teams to influence range planning, category expansion, and sourcing decisions
• Apply strong product development and/or design expertise to shape commercially viable product propositions
• Identify and develop new business opportunities, acting with an entrepreneurial, ownership-driven approach
• Marry up Next’s commercial opportunities with our areas of expertise to maximise strategic fit and account value
• Collaborate closely with our product development and merchandising teams to deliver end-to-end solutions
• Monitor UK retail, fashion, and consumer trends to anticipate and respond to Next’s customer needs

Required Experience, Qualifications & Skills
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in one of the following:
o A Buying role at Next, or
o A Sales / Business Development role with a strategic supplier to Next
• Deep, established relationships with Next’s Buying and/or Senior Leadership teams
• Strong product development and/or design knowledge
• Clear understanding of Next’s end consumer, including customer profiles, quality expectations, price architecture etc
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently and take ownership
• Ability to identify and align Next’s commercial opportunities with Norlanka’s capabilities and expertise
• Strong understanding of Next’s buying, product development, and merchandising processes
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and senior stakeholder-management skills

Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Management, Design, or a related field

What We Offer
• High-impact, senior position managing a strategic UK retail customer
• Leicester-based role, with hybrid, flexible working strongly supported
• Competitive remuneration with bonus / incentive scheme linked to performance and account growth
• Private Medical Care
• Generous holiday allowance