Experienced Business Development Manager
About Martella and DeMuro Das
Martella Associates Limited (”Martella”) is the exclusive representative in the UK and Ireland for the DeMuro Das brand (demurodas.com). Established in 2002, DeMuro Das is an international design firm based in New Delhi, designing and manufacturing bespoke, handcrafted furniture, using semi-precious stones (quartz, agate, tigers’ eye, pyrite), solid metals and woods and veneers.
Martella was established in late 2020 and has expanded recently to a next stage 2,100 sqf. showroom in Chelsea Wharf, close to the Chelsea Design Centre. Our main markets are the prime/super prime residential and hospitality sectors.
DeMuro Das has existing, separately run showrooms in New York and New Delhi and is regularly featured in leading design publications internationally. The brand is consistently placed among the Architectural Digest’s 50 most influential designers in India and many of our UK clients are in London’s top 100 IDs.
Given our relatively recent launch and London’s position in the global interior design and FF& E markets, there is significant opportunity to develop the brand in the UK.
The 100,000+ sqf. factory just outside Delhi in Greater Noida is a vertically integrated factory and after successful completion of the 3 months’ probationary period, a visit will be included as part of your introduction to the brand, to understand production and to meet Brian DeMuro and Puru Das.
We are a niche, passionate, highly motivated and interactive team. Our new showroom is a designed to be a collaborative environment where we exchange ideas, contacts and plans and will hold regular events for clients, with the focus on our unique products and partnerships.
The person we are looking for will be experienced in business development for a similar profile in our industry and should be able to grasp quickly a comprehensive understanding of and sympathy with the design integrity, skills, materials and workmanship of DeMuro Das furniture.
Job Description
This is a newly created position in the company. You will be responsible for driving new orders and sales growth primarily through your network, as well as Martella’s existing client base, using the showroom and making client presentations in their offices.
You will identify proactively interior design firms, architects, hospitality companies and property developers to build relationships. This is essential to the role, as is successfully converting these opportunities into new and repeat business, working closely with the CEO and Operations Manager.
Required Skills and Qualifications
· 10+ years’ relevant experience
· Experienced in independent presenting and have an extensive, existing network
· Highly motivated, self-starter with initiative
· Contacts across the interiors industry and demonstrable knowledge of the industry is essential.
· A knowledge of or interest to learn about handcrafted, bespoke furniture, using semi-precious materials.
· Ability to retain detailed product information and be numerically competent.
· Knowledge of the FF&E design process is required.
· Marketing experience managing and building Linkedin, Instagram, contacts database and other SM channels – coordinating with DeMuro Das.
Responsibilities
· Preparing presentations, arranging meetings and actively engaging with our existing clients and your contacts to win business.
· Carrying out presentations to Interior Designers in order to show our samples and collections; ensuring DeMuro Das remains at the forefront of the clients’ minds when they are specifying for new projects.
· Event Management - looking at how we can engage with Designers through the provision of talks, events, tradeshows, fairs etc.
· Working with and efficiently handing over information for quotations and orders to the Operations/Procurement deptartment to ensure all potential opportunities are explored.
· Managing our marketing and SM channels to grow brand awareness in the UK.
Personal Characteristics
· Confident, competent and possessing a ‘can do’, positive personality.
· Proactive and self-motivated. Must be suited to working in a small team.
· Competent ‘design-eye’ for presenting to, and communicating with, interior designers.
· Excellent attention to detail and well organised.
· Strong interest in interior design.
Essential Information
Salary: Circa £50k p.a. pro rata, dependent on experience and is negotiable. Commission earnings potential on larger orders (GBP 250K+).
Work Structure: the role is part-time initially and the working format is flexible and can be discussed at interview. We anticipate an initial 3 days’ week with the potential to increase as the business grows.
Holiday: 25 days annual leave, pro-rata per annum (excluding public holidays)
This role reports to the CEO.
To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to info@martellaassociates.com.