Business Development Manager

Position Description

Business Development Manager

Location: Canberra - ACT Company: Popes Electrical Reports to: Daryl

The Opportunity

Popes Electrical is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to drive growth across the Canberra - ACT market.

This role is a mix of new business development and account management, focused on strengthening existing relationships while actively bringing on new trade and project-based customers. The role already exists but is being refreshed following underperformance, creating an opportunity for a proven performer to step in and make an immediate impact.

Following the consolidation of three stores into one central location, this role is critical to ensuring strong market coverage, customer retention, and proactive growth.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development

• Identify, target and win new trade, contractor and project-based customers across Canberra - ACT
• Leverage existing industry relationships to bring immediate opportunity into the business
• Proactively open doors with electrical contractors, builders, project managers and related decision-makers
• Represent Popes Electrical in the market with credibility and strong industry presence

Account Management

• Manage and grow an existing portfolio of active customers
• Build long-term relationships focused on repeat business and share-of-wallet growth
• Identify cross-sell and upsell opportunities across the full Popes Electrical product range
• Maintain regular contact with key customers through site visits and face-to-face meetings

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with branch staff, estimators and leadership to ensure strong service delivery
• Support quoting and project pricing where required
• Provide market feedback on competitor activity, pricing trends and customer needs

What Success Looks Like

• New business opportunities being generated within the first 90 days
• Strong engagement with existing customers and visible relationship ownership
• Consistent growth in revenue across assigned accounts and new customers
• Becoming a known and trusted face in the Canberra electrical trade market

Ideal Background

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a BDM or senior sales role
• Strong track record of winning and growing business
• Experience within the electrical wholesale or broader trade supply industry is essential
• Supplier-side backgrounds also considered - including plumbing, HVAC, lighting or related trade sectors
• Well-connected within the Canberra - ACT trade and contractor market
• Ability to bring existing relationships and active opportunities with them

Also open to:

• Qualified Electricians looking to transition into sales, provided they have strong commercial instincts and existing industry relationships

Personal Attributes

• Self-driven, accountable and outcome-focused
• Comfortable being on the road and in front of customers
• Strong communicator with the ability to build trust quickly
• Commercially practical and relationship-led

Why Join Popes Electrical

• Established and respected independent electrical wholesaler
• Consolidated store model with strong operational support
• Direct reporting line to senior leadership
• Opportunity to make a visible impact and own your patch

This role will suit someone who knows the industry, understands the Canberra market, and wants the autonomy to build something meaningful rather than inherit a passive sales patch.