Development Executive

Join to apply for the Development Executive role at Henderson Group

Attractive Salary and Benefits, Company Car/ Allowance, Bonus Scheme

36.5 Hour week

Hybrid - Newtownabbey

Henderson Group encompasses Henderson Retail, Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Food service and Henderson Group Property. We are a family-run and owned leading N.I. company who employ over 5,700 staff and were placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024.

Henderson Wholesale is a leading Wholesaler in Northern Ireland and supplies goods to over 450 stores across various brands such as SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO. We source from local farmers, growers and producers and are proud to contribute to our local economy and environment. We achieved Gold accreditation against the Investors in People standard framework in 2023 in recognition of people management excellence and our commitment to investment in people.

As a Development Executive within the Customer Proposition Commercial Development team, you will play a key role in shaping the future of Henderson Group’s retail estate.

This is a highly visible, commercially focused role where you will assess new store developments, extensions, relocations and other investment opportunities, building robust commercial cases that directly inform senior leadership decision-making. You will work closely with colleagues across Retail, Property, Finance and Acquisitions, contributing to decisions that influence how and where the business invests.

The role offers exposure to a broad range of projects, the opportunity to develop strong commercial judgement, and a clear platform to grow within a developing commercial function.

• Assess retail development and investment opportunities, providing clear, evidence-based recommendations on commercial viability and next steps.
• Build sales, margin and cost forecasts to support opportunity evaluation, combining data analysis with market insight and professional judgement.
• Produce high-quality commercial papers within agreed timescales, clearly identifying key risks, sensitivities and opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with subject matter experts across the business to develop accurate and well-informed cost assumptions.
• Present findings and recommendations to a range of senior stakeholders, confidently communicating complex analysis in a clear and compelling way.
• Lead post-project reviews, identifying drivers of under- and over-performance and ensuring learnings are embedded into future assessments.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across functions within the Henderson Group, supporting effective collaboration and decision-making.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance processes, tools and ways of working through the use of technology and insight.

To be successful in this role, you will bring strong commercial acumen, analytical capability and the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders.

• A good standard of education, including a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English.
• At least five years’ relevant experience within a supermarket or convenience food business, either in a wholesale or retail environment.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal and visual communication skills, with experience presenting to more senior stakeholders.
• A good understanding of the Northern Ireland supermarket and convenience retail market.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously, providing clear and timely updates.
• The ability to adapt to changing demands and priorities in a fast-paced commercial environment.
• A full, current UK or Irish driving licence.

• The ability to influence and collaborate effectively with a wide range of internal stakeholders.
• A proactive mindset, with the confidence to take initiative and ownership of work.
• A thorough and structured approach, seeing tasks through…