Business Development Executive

Description

Sue Ross Recruitment are working on behalf of our client, a highly respected metal recycling company, to recruit a Business Development Executive.

As a Business Development Executive, you will play a crucial role in growing the company’s portfolio of industrial suppliers across the metal recycling market. This is a highly autonomous field-based position where you will identify, engage, and secure contracts with a wide range of suppliers, including metal merchants, automotive facilities, factories, industrial plants, and manufacturing organisations.

In addition to sourcing materials, you will be responsible for trading the ferrous and non-ferrous metals you procure, ensuring the most profitable and efficient outlets are utilised.  This role is ideal for someone who is ambitious, self-driven, and eager to excel in a results-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities for the Business Development Executive role:

Lead Generation & Business Development

• Proactively identify and source new suppliers through cold calling, field sales, networking, site visits, and online research

• Build a strong pipeline of industrial leads within the metal recycling sector
• Conduct market research to identify potential opportunities and industry trends

Supplier Engagement & Contract Acquisition

• Engage confidently with decision-makers across industrial plants, manufacturing companies, automotive sites, and metal merchants

• Prepare and deliver persuasive proposals to secure supply contracts for ferrous and non-ferrous metals
• Maintain regular communication and professional relationships with key suppliers

Material Trading & Profit Optimisation

• Manage and negotiate the sale of materials sourced

• Identify the most profitable trading outlets and maintain strong relationships with buyers
• Work collaboratively with operations/logistics teams to ensure smooth collection, transport, and processing of materials

Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate records of sales activity, supplier engagement, and trading performance

• Provide regular updates on targets, pipelines, and market insights to management
• Ensure compliance with company policies, health & safety standards, and relevant industry regulations

Experience & Qualifications for the Business Development Executive role:

Essential

• Full UK driving license and own vehicle is absolutely essential (business mileage will be paid)

• A proven ability to work independently in a field-based or sales-driven role

• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

• Ambitious, self-motivated, and results-focused

• Confident, professional, and resilient personality
• Hardworking mentality with the drive to succeed in a competitive market

Desirable (but not required)

• Previous experience in business development, field sales, or cold calling

• Background in metals, waste management, recycling, manufacturing, or industrial sectors
• Understanding of ferrous and non-ferrous metal markets and trading principles
• Industry knowledge is not essential—we prioritise candidates with the right personality, drive, and ambition

The ideal candidate for the Business Development Executive role will be:

• Able to work with a high level of autonomy and discipline

• Self-motivated with a strong internal desire to achieve and exceed targets

• Able to build rapport quickly with industrial clients

• Tenacious, adaptable, and proactive
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn

Benefits

• Competitive salary + quarterly commission/bonus structure

Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback to all applicants. Please assume that if you do not hear from us within 72 hours that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for expressing an interest in one of our roles and wish you the very best in your search for employment.