Business Development Manager

JLA Group; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering solutions provider in Southampton is searching for a Business Development Manager to enhance revenue by pursuing new sales opportunities within the hospitality, care, and education sectors. The ideal candidate demonstrates outstanding customer service, possesses excellent organisational skills, and is comfortable working independently. This field-based role includes a company car and requires a full UK driving license. Competitive benefits package offered.

Benefits

Extensive benefits package

Free onsite gym

Flexible working options

Colleague Recognition Scheme

Up to 8 counseling sessions

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to provide outstanding customer service.
• Experience of working in a busy team; driven to achieve personal, team, and business goals.
• Strong understanding of products and competition in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to grow sales revenue.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of key accounts, ensuring long-term client relationships.
• Understand client needs and provide tailored solutions.
• Prepare and present sales reports, forecasts, and performance metrics.

Skills

Outstanding customer service

Good organisational skills

English proficiency (written and verbal)

Job description

Proton is an established business supplying critical catering assets, consumables, and support services to independent and group companies across the UK.

When you join the JLA family, you\'ll also gain access to an extensive benefits package. We care about our people and take your well-being seriously, which is why we offer a range of supportive tools for health and wellbeing, financial guidance, and legal advice. Our Employee Assistance Programme, 24/7 Wellness and Lifestyle App plus a dedicated team of Mental Health First Aiders are there to support you through life\'s challenges. We also offer up to 8 counseling sessions, which can be in-person or remote, providing you with the support and flexibility to suit your own personal needs.

You can reach any fitness goals with our free onsite gym at head office along with a range of other gym membership discounts available.

To offer financial support, we not only provide life assurance coverage, company sick pay, and a company pension scheme, we offer a range of added benefits such as free office parking, eye care vouchers, a cycle-to-work scheme, and exclusive discounts through our staff benefits hub.

We really pride ourselves in offering a healthy work-life balance and believe it is important to have time away to recharge which is why we provide 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, flexible working options, and enhanced family leave policies.

We are a company that appreciates you and invests in your success and even have a Colleague Recognition Scheme to celebrate your achievements. We\'re dedicated to your growth, offering support in career development and training. We value your referrals, and through our Refer a Friend scheme, you can earn up to £1,000 in bonus rewards!

Role Overview

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will be responsible for increasing business by closing developed and repeat sales opportunities while discovering new streams of interest within the hospitality, care and education sectors. New business will be done through attending independently generated appointments. Field Based with Company car.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to grow sales revenue
• Develop and manage a portfolio of key accounts, ensuring long-term client relationship
• Understand client needs and provide tailored solutions to meet their business objectives
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms to maximize profitability
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver excellent service
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities
• Prepare and present sales reports, forecasts, and performance metrics
• Attend industry events and networking opportunities to build relationships
• Carry out site surveys where required
• Determine the pricing structure for the client in line with Proton pricing strategy and obtain senior level approval as required

Knowledge And Skills

• Ability to provide outstanding levels of customer service
• Good organisational skills
• Good knowledge of the English language, both written and verbal
• Ability to manage yourself without supervision and provide clear strategy plans to the management team

Experience

• Demonstrated ability to provide outstanding customer service
• Experience of working in a busy team; driven to achieve personal, team, and business goals
• Demonstrated experience of taking ownership of customer queries
• Possess a strong understanding of our products, our competition in the industry and positioning

Personal qualities

• Aptitude for quickly building rapport with customers by showing patience, empathy and understanding
• Strong team player
• Confidence and eagerness to own and resolve issues by showing initiative and willingness to learn

We will need you to have a full UK driving licence as the role involves UK travel.