*** Exciting Opportunity to be part of the growth of a Unique British Innovative & Sustainable Product - Dofygate ***
Business Development Manager (6 month Contract 3 days a week - Chelmsford)
Location: Hybrid (Chelmsford-based – 2 days office Tuesday & Thursday, 1 from home)
Salary: £40,000 pro rata (3 days per week i.e. £24k p/a or £2k Gross p/m) + bonus scheme (Terms & Conditions Apply)
Reports to: Sales & Marketing Manager, John Alston Start Date: ASAP
About Dofygate
Dofygate is a small, family-run business based in Norfolk, UK, dedicated to improving safety and efficiency on work sites. Our solar & mobile traffic control barrier systems are trusted by leading organisations in construction, infrastructure, recycling, and house building as well as other sectors, helping control vehicle and pedestrian movement safely and sustainably.
Having recently celebrated our 1,000th Dofygate sold, we’re growing well and are looking for a driven Business Development Manager to help expand our reach across the UK’s infrastructure and construction sectors. Learn more about Dofygate at www.dofygate.co.uk.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and entrepreneurial professional, to help drive the next phase of Dofygate’s growth. Working closely with the Sales & Marketing Manager, you’ll lead outreach and relationship-building efforts with key contacts in construction, house building, and safety management sectors. You must be able to commute to the recently launched Chelmsford Office twice a week – we are based within a fantastic working environment at Patch Chelmsford – look it up, it’s one of the best working environments one could ask for.
The role will involve:
• Developing and nurturing relationships with H&S professionals, site managers, construction directors and other relevant contacts.
• Generating and managing leads through our extensive database and large mailing list built from major UK trade exhibitions (RWM, Health & Safety Event, Safety & Health Expo, Recycling Expo, etc.). You will develop relationships with existing customers and warm leads.
• Creating and sending targeted newsletters and communications to engage potential clients and partners. We use Engagebay currently but open to looking at Hubspot, Klaviyo and other best practice CRM & Mailshot Saas Systems & tech.
• Identifying new partnership or reseller opportunities within the infrastructure and construction ecosystem. These would initially be based for the Sales & Marketing Manager to lead but in the future you may be able to secure your own partnerships in the UK & Europe.
• Representing Dofygate at events and industry networking opportunities (as required).
• Feeding market intelligence back into the business to support strategy and product development. Carrying out surveys, mystery shopper outreach and more to collect key market data to add layers to our developing strategy.
• Part of the team, not a cog in the wheel – Dofygate is a very small business with less than a £1m turnover and a handful of skilled employees as well as two directors. One of those directors is the inventor and very hands-on leader, Jim Alston. You will have a seat at the table and your voice will be heard. Decisions can be made quickly and innovate initiatives within budget initiated swiftly, though there is a focus on budgeting and forward planning.
• Learning from skilled individuals – This is a family business and you will be working with Jim’s son, John Alston, who will be going part time to focus on his consultancy business and his Startup. John will be your line manager and has a lot of experience leading and growing larger organisations – he will be there to train, coach and encourage you to fulfil your potential, doing his best to ensure you have the tools you need along the way.
About You
You’ll be an energetic, self-motivated networker who thrives in entrepreneurial environments and enjoys building relationships from the ground up. You will have an established network in the UK Infrastructure, Construction &/or House Building Industries with strong relationships with key decision-makers.
Essential experience:
• Proven business development or sales experience in UK construction, infrastructure, house building or relevant sector such as groundworks, plant hire or other. You are here to drive results, create opportunities and close them and you must be used to being given tough but achievable targets and exceeding them.
• Very used to using a CRM system to track your pipeline and record all information about all conversations had. Experience utilising such systems to their full potential – we are open to moving systems if you have had particular success with a well know system in the past such as Pipedrive, Hubspot or other.
• An existing network of contacts across construction, plant hire, or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of H&S priorities on-site and the decision-making structures of main contractors and developers.
• Confident attending site in correct PPE and conducting ones self in a safe and professional manner – at times you will be the face of Dofygate and must uphold the highest standards of personal presentation and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident using digital marketing tools (e.g., newsletters, CRM systems, LinkedIn outreach).
• Confident getting on the phone and talking to people for extended periods both to warm and cold leads.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when needed for client visits and trade shows. Your own vehicle will be required for this and milage will be paid.
Desirable experience:
• Previous experience selling or hiring plant, safety, or site management equipment.
• Experience working in or with small, fast-paced businesses on a mission to grow. You must be prepared to try your best every day, listen, learn, develop, improve, grow and be the best version of yourself to reflect the ambition of Dofygate and to be proud of yourself and your own achievements.
• Love being part of a team – it will only be yourself & John in Chelmsford but you will visit Norfolk approx.. every quarter to see the team at Manor Farm and the workshops where Dofygate is asse4mbled. We want you to assist in fostering a team dynamic where every member at every level feels part of the mission and is caught by the momentum that you will help to bring.
Contract & Rewards
• Contract: Initial 6-month term (with potential to extend)
• Hours: 3 days per week (potential for more as the role grows). 9.00am-5.30pm; 30 mins for lunch, two 15 minute breaks.
• Salary: £40,000 pro rata (based on experience)
• Bonus: Scheme to be discussed
• Location: Chelmsford at least two days a week at Patch Chelmsford. One day a week from home.
SMART Objectives (First 6 Months)
1. Lead Generation:
Build and maintain a pipeline of at least 50-75 qualified leads from the UK construction and infrastructure sectors through outreach, newsletters, and industry networking.
2. Sales Conversion:
Achieve minimum 20 Dofygate customer sales (Av. 2 Dofygates per sale but can be 50+) or equivalent revenue targets within 6 months through new and existing relationships. That is on average 1 sale per week – the right candidate will achieve more but we want our targets to be realistic and achievable.
3. Market Expansion:
Source at least 3 new potential key partnerships (e.g., plant hire, resellers, or contractors) for John to lead the closure of in tandem with you and present a short growth plan outlining future market opportunities for Dofygate products. These new partnerships may focus on Northern Europe, so French, German or Dutch would be a benefit but not a necessity.
How to Apply
If you’re a self-starter who loves turning conversations into opportunities and shares our passion for safety innovation, we’d love to hear from you.
We are looking to hire immediately – the core office days in Chelmsford are Tuesday & Thursday – you can work the third day from home on any other weekday. Please confirm that you are able to start within the next 1-2 weeks.
Send your CV and a Covering Letter to john@dofygate.co.uk.