Business Development & Sales Apprentice

MARCHANTCAIN GROUP LIMITED

COVENTRY (CV4 7EZ)

Closes on Friday 17 April 2026

Posted on 19 February 2026

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Summary

This is a hands-on opportunity for someone with a commercial mindset who wants to understand how a specialist engineering business really works — from product and pricing through to customers, sales and strategy.

Wage

£14,133.60 to £22,857.12, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

We are proud to be a National Living Wage employer: salary will range £14976-£23793 depending on your age.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 5.30pm

36 hours a week

Start date

Monday 13 July 2026

Duration

1 year 6 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 Business Development & Sales Apprentice, you will work closely with senior team members and learn how we identify opportunities, engage customers and turn technical products into commercial success.

You’ll gain real responsibility, exposure to customers and suppliers, and a solid foundation in how sales and business development work in a technical environment.

What You’ll Learn and Do:

  • Product & Market Knowledge:
  • Learn what products we sell and how they work
  • Understand our core technologies and differentiators
  • Develop knowledge of our customers, markets and competitors
  • Support the preparation of product information and sales materials

Customers & Sales Support:

  • Research existing and potential customers using tools such as LinkedIn and online databases
  • Help maintain customer records and sales data
  • Support communication with customers via email, phone and digital platform
  • Assist with quotations, enquiries and follow-ups

Commercial & Pricing Awareness:

  • Learn how product costs are built up
  • Understand the difference between costs, prices and margins
  • Support pricing calculations and commercial comparisons
  • Gain insight into how pricing decisions are made

Business Development Activities:

  • Support lead generation and opportunity tracking
  • Assist with market and customer research
  • Help prepare presentations and sales documentation
  • Learn how long-term customer relationships are developed and managed

Administration & Organisation:

  • Maintain organised digital records and documentation
  • Support reporting and basic analysis of sales activity
  • Work collaboratively with engineering, production and management teams

What We’re Looking For:

  • A motivated and curious individual with an interest in business, sales or engineering
  • Strong communication skills and confidence using digital tools
  • Organised, reliable and keen to learn
  • Comfortable working in a small team and taking responsibility
  • GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and maths
  • No previous experience in engineering or sales is required - just enthusiasm, drive and a willingness to learn

Where you'll work

UNIT 4A
SOVEREIGN COURT ONE
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SCIENCE PARK
COVENTRY
CV4 7EZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

Online masterclasses

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English, Maths (grade C/4+)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • An interest in Sales/Business

About this employer

We are a small, well-known engineering company operating in a niche, high-performance automotive market. We design, develop and manufacture complex mechatronic and active aerodynamic components for supercar and hypercar manufacturers across Europe.

https://www.marchantcain.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is a real opportunity for progression into a permanent role within the company, with scope to move into business development, sales, project coordination or commercial management

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000016473.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 17 April 2026