Sales and Business Development Apprentice
F. SMALES & SON (FISH MERCHANTS) LIMITED
Hull (HU3 4HL)
Closes in 10 days (Friday 9 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 25 September 2026
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity to join one of the UK's leading seafood suppliers. This apprenticeship is focused on sales, giving the successful candidate the opportunity to develop skills in customer relationship building, and commercial sales. Alongside this, you will support digital marketing activities.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Content creator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Thursday 29 October 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 3 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As a Sales and Business Development Apprentice, you will play an active role in supporting the company's commercial growth while gaining valuable experience in customer engagement, sales and marketing.
Your duties will include:
- Contacting existing customers to discuss products, promotions and seasonal offers
- Building and maintaining strong customer relationships to maximise sales opportunities
- Identifying and contacting prospective new customers through research and outbound communication
- Supporting the sales team with account management activities
- Following up customer enquiries and quotations
- Updating and maintaining accurate customer records within the CRM system
- Learning consultative sales techniques to understand customer needs and recommend suitable products
- Assisting with customer retention initiatives and relationship management
- Supporting business development activities to help grow the customer base
- Monitoring sales activity and contributing to revenue growth targets
- Working closely with sales managers to develop commercial awareness and industry knowledge
- Learning about seafood products and communicating key benefits to customers
- Supporting market research and competitor analysis to identify new business opportunities
- Creating engaging content for social media platforms and company websites
- Producing photography and video content to promote products and company activities
- Supporting promotional campaigns and product launches
- Assisting with social media scheduling and content management
- Monitoring engagement and reporting on campaign performance
- Supporting marketing initiatives designed to generate sales leads and increase customer engagement
Where you'll work
30 West Dock Street
Hull
HU3 4HL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
HULL COLLEGE
Training course
Content creator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Interpret the aims of the brief.
- Research ideas and concepts to meet the brief.
- Evaluate brand requirements and brand guidelines.
- Prepare a mood board or other visual aid for the content to be created.
- Present ideas, pitches and proposals for creative content to be further developed.
- Storyboard and outline script their ideas for content to be developed.
- Interpret data, consider its integrity and use it to inform content.
- Develop accessible written content for different platforms and devices.
- Apply best practice and inclusive language when creating content.
- Write and edit copy or scripts for use on different channels and platforms.
- Create or capture visuals and audio using standard packages and equipment.
- Source, obtain and prepare media assets for use; using industry standard packages to adapt and edit content.
- Use industry standard tools and content management systems to organise, structure and label content effectively, methodically and securely enabling efficient search and retrieval.
- Identify and recommend the platform/s or channel/s to use for the media campaign.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliers, establishing and using professional contacts.
- Engage and respond with audiences through social media, adapting content to respond to evolving circumstances.
- Monitor user experience to ensure content is focused on maximising engagement.
- Analyse the differences between audiences using audience segmentation techniques and data.
- Use lessons learned to evaluate the success of the content and identify areas for improvement for future campaigns.
- Use continuing professional development planning to support own current and future training and development needs.
- Operate effectively within the production workflow to meet production timelines.
- Interpret the aims of the brief.
- Research ideas and concepts to meet the brief.
- Evaluate brand requirements and brand guidelines.
- Prepare a mood board or other visual aid for the content to be created.
- Present ideas, pitches and proposals for creative content to be further developed.
- Storyboard and outline script their ideas for content to be developed.
- Interpret data, consider its integrity and use it to inform content.
- Develop accessible written content for different platforms and devices.
- Apply best practice and inclusive language when creating content.
- Write and edit copy or scripts for use on different channels and platforms.
- Create or capture visuals and audio using standard packages and equipment.
- Source, obtain and prepare media assets for use; using industry standard packages to adapt and edit content.
- Use industry standard tools and content management systems to organise, structure and label content effectively, methodically and securely enabling efficient search and retrieval.
- Identify and recommend the platform/s or channel/s to use for the media campaign.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliers, establishing and using professional contacts.
- Engage and respond with audiences through social media, adapting content to respond to evolving circumstances.
- Monitor user experience to ensure content is focused on maximising engagement.
- Analyse the differences between audiences using audience segmentation techniques and data.
- Use lessons learned to evaluate the success of the content and identify areas for improvement for future campaigns.
- Use continuing professional development planning to support own current and future training and development needs.
- Operate effectively within the production workflow to meet production timelines.
Training schedule
Hull College will deliver the Content Creator Apprenticeship Standard, through a weekly day release.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3)
- Maths (grade 3)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Customer care skills
- Presentation skills
- Creative
- Initiative
About this employer
F. Smales & Son is an independent family-owned business with over 80 years of heritage. The company is the UK's largest supplier of Frozen At Sea Cod and Haddock to the fish and chip sector, whilst also supplying leading foodservice wholesalers and hospitality brands across the UK. Based in Hull, Smales delivers products directly to thousands of customers every week and offers a supportive working environment with opportunities for development and progression.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress into a permanent role within Sales, Business Development, Account Management, Key Account Management or Commercial Operations, with ongoing training and development available to support a long-term career in sales.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HULL COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055683.
Apply now
Closes in 10 days (Friday 9 October 2026 at 11:59pm)