Business Development Manager - Foodservice

Manassen Foods Pty Ltd; Brisbane; Remote; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Manassen Foods Pty Ltd in Australia is seeking a motivated Business Development Manager – Foodservice to drive profitable sales growth. You will expand distribution, manage foodservice distributors and build strong relationships with contract caterers, hospitality groups and chefs.

Reporting to the National Business Manager, you will execute the state sales strategy, develop territory plans, and deliver sales and margin objectives while controlling spend.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the National Business Manager - Foodservice, the role delivers profitable sales and margin growth by expanding distribution.
• Manages foodservice distributors and creates end-user demand that pulls inventory through the supply chain.
• Executes the state Foodservice sales strategy and develops territory and customer plans for key trading partners.
• Delivers agreed sales, gross margin, contribution and distribution objectives while controlling trade and promotions spend.
• Manages and grows relationships with foodservice distributors and wholesalers, including business planning, ranging, promotions, account reviews, claims, rebates and joint activity.
• Builds relationships with contract caterers, hospitality groups, chefs and other end users to generate demand and pull inventory through distributor networks.
• Establishes and maintains a structured call plan identifying monthly, quarterly and annual sales opportunities.
• Wins new customers and secures incremental ranging, menu placement, distribution, trial and repeat purchase.
• Develops and delivers new-line presentations, product demonstrations and commercial proposals that clearly communicate customer and end-user value.
• Coordinates distributor readiness, customer activation and end-user conversion for NPD launches and range extensions.
• Maintains accurate forecasts, CRM records, opportunity pipelines and customer administration with clear next actions and conversion milestones.
• Provides customer, competitor and market insights, resolves issues promptly and works cross-functionally with Marketing, Category, Supply Chain, Finance and Customer Service.
• Proven Foodservice sales or business-development experience, including hands-on engagement with distributors, wholesalers and end users.
• Demonstrated success growing an existing customer base, winning new business and managing accounts for profitable outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to independently plan and manage a territory, prioritise opportunities and consistently deliver objectives and KPIs.
• Sound ability to collect, analyse and present commercial information to support decisions and action plans.
• Clear written, verbal and presentation skills, with practical capability in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and work effectively across states while remaining hands-on in market execution.
• Current driver’s licence. A relevant business, sales or marketing qualification is preferred.
• Demonstrates commercial hunger, competitiveness and resilience, owning the territory and converting opportunities into growth.

Job description

Business Development Manager - Foodservice

Manassen Foods is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers, importers, marketers and distributors of fine food products. Our key Foodservice brands include Tatua, S&W, Sharwood’s, Angas Park and Sunbeam Foods, to name a few.

Innovative culture: Be part of a forward-thinking company that values initiative and commercial creativity.

Career growth: Access opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Collaborative environment: Join a supportive national team where contribution and accountability matter.

Competitive benefits: Attractive remuneration, tool of trade vehicle, sales incentive with remote working and a varied employee benefits program.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting to the National Business Manager - Foodservice, the Business Development Manager plays a critical role in delivering profitable sales and margin growth by expanding distribution, managing foodservice distributors and creating end‑user demand that pulls inventory through the supply chain.

Execute the state Foodservice sales strategy and develop territory and customer plans for key trading partners.

Deliver agreed sales, gross margin, contribution and distribution objectives while maintaining disciplined control of trade and promotional spend.

Manage and grow relationships with foodservice distributors and wholesalers, including business planning, ranging, promotions, account reviews, claims, rebates and joint activity.

Build relationships with contract caterers, hospitality groups, chefs and other end users to generate demand, secure usage and pull inventory through distributor networks.

Establish and maintain a structured call plan that identifies monthly, quarterly and annual sales opportunities.

Win new customers and secure incremental ranging, menu placement, distribution, trial and repeat purchase across the core portfolio and new products.

Develop and deliver new-line presentations, product demonstrations and commercial proposals that clearly communicate customer and end‑user value.

Execute NPD launches and range extensions, coordinating distributor readiness, customer activation and end‑user conversion.

Maintain accurate forecasts, CRM records, opportunity pipelines and customer administration with clear next actions and conversion milestones.

Provide customer, competitor and market insights, resolve issues promptly and work cross‑functionally with Marketing, Category, Supply Chain, Finance and Customer Service.

What you bring

Proven Foodservice sales or business-development experience, including hands-on engagement with distributors, wholesalers and end users.

Demonstrated success growing an existing customer base, winning new business and managing accounts for profitable outcomes.

Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills.

Ability to independently plan and manage a territory, prioritise opportunities and consistently deliver objectives and KPIs.

Sound ability to collect, analyse and present commercial information to support decisions and action plans.

Clear written, verbal and presentation skills, with practical capability in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

Ability to influence cross‑functional teams and work effectively across states while remaining hands‑on in market execution.

Current driver’s licence. A relevant business, sales or marketing qualification is preferred.

The winning mindset

You will be commercially hungry, competitive and resilient. You take ownership of the territory, actively seek opportunities, create momentum and know how to convert opportunities into sustainable, profitable growth. You think strategically, stay close to the market and follow through on commitments.

Join a collaborative national team and play a key role in expanding our Foodservice channel. You will develop new business, grow established customer relationships and represent a portfolio of well-known food brands.