Business Development and Account Manager

Zest Food Jobs; Greater Lincolnshire; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Food Jobs in the United Kingdom is seeking a driven Business Development and Account Manager to drive growth in the foodservice sector. You will develop existing relationships, win new business, and manage the full sales cycle from enquiry to launch.

You will identify opportunities across the portfolio, build strong stakeholder relationships, prepare quotations, and contribute to commercial strategy. The role offers scope across markets and a practical, entrepreneurial team environment.

Qualifications

• Previous sales or account management 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.
• 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.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Sales experience

Account management

Business development

Foodservice sector

New business generation

Commercial awareness

Quotations & proposals

Communication skills

Organisation & planning

Analytical skills

Networking & relationship-building

MS Office (Excel)

MS Office (PowerPoint)

Independent working

Interest in food & cooking

Tools

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.

The role will suit an entrepreneurial sales professional who enjoys building relationships, spotting commercial opportunities and taking ownership of the sales process. There will also be scope to develop opportunities across additional market sectors and introduce customers to a broader range of products.

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.
• Take ownership of agreed accounts and work towards defined sales and income targets.
• 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.
• 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.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer contact information, including commercial, NPD and technical contacts.
• Ensure relevant customer intelligence is shared with colleagues across the business.
• Support targeted customer communications, including product updates, company news and newsletters.
• Maintain central sales, activity and target trackers.
• Keep records of customer meetings, visits, opportunities and agreed actions.
• Monitor customer contract uptake and provide regular updates on account performance.
• Ensure management has clear visibility of sales activity, pipeline opportunities, tenders and project progress.

We are looking for an individual with a strong commercial mindset who can demonstrate a proactive approach to sales and relationship management.

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.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• 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.

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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.