Business Development Manager

Sofina Foods Europe; Cookstown; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking a commercially minded sales professional to grow our Northern Ireland convenience and independent retail footprint. This field-based role blends account management with commercial support to increase product distribution and strengthen customer relationships.

You will visit customers across Northern Ireland, analyse opportunities, and work with internal teams to deliver customer plans that support sustainable sales growth.

Qualifications

• This role is for a commercial sales professional with experience in sales, account management or field-based roles.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build customer relationships.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with a drive to develop a career in commercial sales.

Responsibilities

• Support sales and distribution growth across NI convenience market.
• Manage and develop relationships with a portfolio of customer accounts.
• Identify and secure new opportunities for listings and brand visibility.
• Conduct regular store visits to monitor compliance and promotions.
• Provide commercial administration support, including reporting and analysis.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver customer plans and objectives.
• Support key account activity and initiatives, contributing to growth.

Skills

Field sales

Account management

Customer service

Communication

Commercial awareness

Job description

Drive growth across Northern Ireland's convenience retail market

Role Overview

Help shape the growth of our Northern Ireland retail business through a blend of field sales, account management and commercial support.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their career in commercial sales. You'll work closely with customers across the convenience and independent retail sector, helping to increase product distribution, strengthen customer relationships and secure new opportunities for our brands. Combining customer-facing responsibility with commercial administration, you'll gain broad exposure to both sales and commercial functions while making a visible impact on business growth

Key Duties

• Support sales and distribution growth across the Northern Ireland convenience and independent retail market.
• Manage and develop relationships with a portfolio of customer accounts.
• Identify and secure new opportunities for product listings and increased brand visibility.
• Conduct regular store visits to monitor compliance, promotional execution and distribution opportunities.
• Provide commercial administration support, including reporting, sales analysis and customer documentation.
• Work with internal teams to deliver customer plans and commercial objectives.
• Support key account activity and customer initiatives.
• Contribute to business development opportunities that drive sustainable sales growth.

Ideal Candidate

• An aspiring commercial professional with experience in sales, account management, customer service or a field-based role.
• A confident communicator who enjoys building strong customer relationships.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a genuine desire to develop a career in commercial sales.
• Comfortable analysing information and identifying opportunities for growth.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and administration skills.
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with wider teams.
• Commercially aware and customer focused in your approach.
• In possession of a full UK driving licence and willing to travel across Northern Ireland.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to build your commercial career within a fast-growing international food business. You'll gain hands-on experience across sales, customer management and commercial operations while working with recognised brands and experienced colleagues who will support your development.

You’ll have the autonomy to build customer relationships, identify growth opportunities and make a genuine contribution to the success of the Northern Ireland business. If you’re looking for a varied role with excellent development opportunities and the chance to grow your commercial career, we’d love to hear from you.

Ready to take the next step in your commercial career? We’ll love to hear from you.

Ready to take the next step in your commercial career? We’ll love to hear from you.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It’s a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation