We are looking for a driven Business Development Manager to grow Hästens’ existing retail partners across an assigned territory, Italy and Malta You will be responsible for the commercial performance of your territory, working closely with partners to grow sales, develop existing accounts, and identify growth opportunities within existing partnerships. Once new retail partnerships are secured, you will take over the relationship and drive each partner’s ongoing development.
Your focus will be on making every partner store in your territory measurably more productive, week after week. Using a proven partner performance framework, you will help partners improve sales effectiveness, increase profitability, and achieve sustainable growth.
This is a hands-on, field-based role for someone who enjoys building relationships, creating demand, and turning opportunities into results. You will lead by example by selling directly to customers and coaching store teams to improve sales performance. The role involves weekly targets, regular Salesforce reporting, and a value-led approach to selling high-value products. You will also complete certification in Hästens’ sales methodology and travel extensively within your territory, including monthly training trips to Sweden.
Key Responsibilities
Drive sales and commercial performance across your territory
Build and maintain strong relationships with retail partners
Develop existing partners and create plans to increase sales, traffic, conversion, and profitability
Review performance and agree on clear actions for improvement
Coach and support store teams to strengthen sales performance and deliver the Hästens customer experience
Work with partners on local marketing activities, events, and initiatives that support commercial growth
Identify and unlock growth opportunities within existing retail partners through additional stores and new retail formats
Ensure Hästens’ brand and customer experience standards are maintained across the territory
Requirements & Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
5+ years of experience in business development, sales, wholesale, account management, or a similar role with responsibility for results across several accounts
Proven track record of building relationships with architects and interior designers that generate sales
Proven experience in selling high-value products and actively generating customer demand
Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM
Strong commercial mindset and sales orientation
Experience working with business owners, senior decision-makers, or retail partners
Proactive and self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership
Comfortable working independently and managing a large territory
Strong communication and negotiation skills
Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned territory
A valid full driving licence (Category B)
Fluent in Italian and English
Please submit your CV in English.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, wholesale, account management, or a similar role
- Experience within premium brands, architecture, interior design, or a related field
- Proven track record of growing sales and developing business
- Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM
- Strong commercial mindset and sales orientation
- Experience working with business owners, senior decision-makers, or retail partners
- Proactive and self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership
- Ability to work independently and manage a large territory
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned territory
- Fluency in Italian and English
What We Do
Hästens is a Swedish, family-owned bed manufacturer specializing in handcrafted beds and mattresses made with natural materials. Founded as a saddlery in 1852, the company has evolved across six generations into a luxury sleep-products brand. Its offering includes beds, mattresses, bedlinen, pillows, and duvets, with products designed to support restorative sleep through traditional handcraft and carefully selected natural fillings for premium sleep.
