Business Development And Account Manager

Zest; Greater Lincolnshire; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest is expanding in the foodservice sector and seeks an ambitious Business Development and Account Manager to grow sales, nurture existing relationships, and spot new opportunities across its product range. The role requires collaboration across teams, regular customer meetings, and participation in industry events to raise the company profile.

You will manage the full sales cycle, develop tailored proposals, and work with NPD and suppliers to deliver value to customers while driving commercial

Qualifications

• Previous sales, account management or business development experience in food industry.
• Experience with foodservice customers or related sector.
• Strong commercial awareness including margins and profitability.
• Experience producing quotations and commercial proposals.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• New Business Development: identify prospects, develop opportunities, manage full sales cycle from enquiry to launch.
• Account Development: grow existing customers, increase account value, cross-sell across portfolio.
• Pricing & Tenders: prepare quotations and manage tender activity to advance opportunities.
• NPD & Suppliers: coordinate samples and monitor product development with suppliers and partners.

Tools

CRM software

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Seize the opportunity to join this fast-growing, innovative food business with an established presence in the market, in this newly created role.

As part of its continued expansion, the business is looking to appoint an ambitious and commercially driven Business Development and Account Manager to strengthen its position within the foodservice sector. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing existing customer relationships, growing sales across the company's product portfolio and identifying new business opportunities.

Working in a friendly, open plan office, you will be someone who works collaboratively with others and takes pride in what they do, whilst being able to have fun too!

Key Responsibilities:

New Business Development

• Identify and research prospective customers within target foodservice and other relevant market sectors.
• Develop new business opportunities in line with the company's commercial strategy and current campaigns.
• Follow up leads generated through networking, exhibitions, marketing activity and other sources.
• Arrange customer meetings, presentations and visits as appropriate.
• Develop tailored quotations and commercial proposals to meet customer requirements.
• Manage opportunities through the full sales cycle, from initial enquiry through pricing, sampling and specification to product launch.
• Maintain an accurate pipeline of new business opportunities and provide regular updates on progress.
• Attend appropriate exhibitions, networking events and industry functions to raise the profile of the business and generate new leads.

Account Development & Customer Relationships

• Manage and develop relationships with existing customers, with a strong focus on increasing sales and overall account value.
• Identify opportunities to introduce additional products and categories across the wider portfolio.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders across customer organisations, including Purchasing, Buying, Supply Chain and NPD teams.
• Develop a detailed understanding of customer requirements and identify opportunities for further commercial growth.
• Monitor customer performance and identify opportunities, risks and areas requiring further attention.
• Conduct customer meetings and visits to strengthen relationships and develop new opportunities.
• Ensure actions arising from customer meetings are recorded, communicated and followed through.

Pricing, Tenders & Commercial Activity

• Prepare pricing and quotations for both individual customer enquiries and larger annual supply tenders.
• Manage the progress of quotations, samples and specifications, ensuring opportunities continue to move forward.
• Maintain accurate records of tender activity and monitor upcoming opportunities throughout the year.
• Track customer contract performance and identify product lines or accounts performing ahead of or below expectations.
• Work with the wider commercial team to agree appropriate actions where sales or contract utilisation is not in line with expectations.
• Develop an awareness of supply chain costs and their impact on account profitability and the wider P&L.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and support profitable growth.

NPD, Suppliers & Product Development

• Work closely with the NPD team to coordinate customer samples and monitor product development projects.
• Maintain accurate records of active sample and development projects.
• Communicate with customers regarding ongoing, delayed or paused projects and identify opportunities to reactivate suitable projects.
• Develop effective working relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Attend regular meetings with key supply partners, including the company's principal manufacturing sites in Europe.
• Maintain an understanding of supplier capabilities, pricing, product availability and upcoming developments.
• Keep the wider business informed of product launches, delisting's, contract updates and other relevant supplier activity.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous sales, account management or business development experience within the food industry.
• Experience working with foodservice customers or within a related food sector.
• Knowledge of produce or similar short-shelf life categories would be advantageous.
• A proven ability to develop existing accounts and generate new business.
• Strong commercial awareness, including an understanding of sales targets, margins and profitability.
• Experience producing quotations and commercial proposals.
• Strong organisational and planning abilities, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building capabilities.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the confidence to work independently.
• A genuine interest in food and cooking.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing food business where the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a genuine commercial impact. The role offers considerable variety, combining account development, new business generation, customer relationship management, product development and commercial strategy.

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