Business Development Manager

Talent Guardian; North East; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Performance bonus scheme

Health programme

Employee discounts

Car & cycle to work schemes

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Talent Guardian is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to drive growth in the foodservice sector. You will identify opportunities across restaurants, hospitality groups and wholesale, build relationships with chefs and decision-makers, and manage a robust pipeline.

You will negotiate contracts, develop proposals, and collaborate with commercial, buying and operations teams to meet customer requirements. Regular travel and a passion for food distribution are essential.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years experience in business development, sales or account management.
• Experience within foodservice, hospitality, wholesale, FMCG or food distribution.
• Proven track record of securing new business and achieving sales targets.
• Strong negotiation skills and pricing/margin understanding.
• Willing to travel regularly for customer meetings.

Responsibilities

• Identifying and securing new business opportunities across foodservice, hospitality, wholesale and retail
• Building relationships with restaurants, hospitality groups, chefs and key decision-makers
• Developing and managing a strong pipeline of new business opportunities
• Negotiating pricing, contracts and commercial agreements
• Developing existing customer accounts and identifying opportunities to increase revenue
• Researching market trends, competitor activity and potential new markets
• Preparing customer proposals, quotations and sales presentations
• Working closely with commercial, buying and operations teams to meet customer requirements
• Managing sales forecasts, customer information and CRM records
• Representing the business at customer meetings and industry events

Skills

Business development

Sales

Account management

Negotiation

CRM experience

Relationship building

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Business Development Manager Foodservice

We re working with a growing business in the seafood and food distribution industry who are looking for an experienced Business Development Manager to join their team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a strong background in foodservice sales who enjoys building relationships, identifying new opportunities and driving business growth.

You ll play an important part in expanding the company s customer base, developing long-term commercial relationships and securing new business across the restaurant, hospitality, wholesale and wider foodservice sectors.

The role:

• Identifying and securing new business opportunities across foodservice, hospitality, wholesale and retail
• Building relationships with restaurants, hospitality groups, chefs and key decision-makers
• Developing and managing a strong pipeline of new business opportunities
• Negotiating pricing, contracts and commercial agreements
• Developing existing customer accounts and identifying opportunities to increase revenue
• Researching market trends, competitor activity and potential new markets
• Preparing customer proposals, quotations and sales presentations
• Working closely with commercial, buying and operations teams to meet customer requirements
• Managing sales forecasts, customer information and CRM records
• Representing the business at customer meetings and industry events

what we're looking for:

• Has 3 5 years experience in business development, sales or account management
• Has experience within foodservice, hospitality, wholesale, FMCG or food distribution
• Has a proven track record of securing new business and achieving sales targets
• Is confident approaching new customers and developing commercial relationships
• Has strong negotiation skills and a good understanding of pricing and profit margins
• Is comfortable managing their own sales pipeline and generating new opportunities
• Can build relationships with chefs, business owners, procurement teams and senior decision-makers
• Has good organisational skills and experience using CRM systems
• Is willing to travel regularly for customer meetings and business development activities
• Ideally has experience within seafood, fresh food or chilled food distribution, although this isn t essential

What's on offer:

• Performance-related bonus scheme
• Hybrid working
• Health and wellbeing programme
• Employee and product discounts
• Car scheme and cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Career development opportunities

If you re an experienced Business Development Manager with a passion for food and a proven ability to secure new business, we d love to hear from you.