Business Development Manager

The People Co. / Sell Jobs; Spalding; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The People Co. / Sell Jobs is seeking a Commercial & Business Development Manager to lead growth within its Wholesale & Foodservice division across the UK. You will own the category strategy, build key customer relationships and drive revenue growth with cross-functional teams.

Reporting into the commercial leadership, you will drive new business, manage tenders, and shape market development with autonomy and strategic influence across supplier and customer networks.

Qualifications

• Sales or commercial experience within the food industry.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales growth across wholesale and foodservice accounts through proactive account management and new business development.
• Build and strengthen relationships with customers across buying, supply chain and product development functions.
• Identify, develop and secure new customer opportunities, tenders and market sectors.
• Manage quotations, specifications, samples and project launches through to completion.
• Work cross-functionally with NPD, supply chain and operational teams to maximise commercial opportunities.
• Represent the business at customer meetings, industry events and exhibitions to build market presence and generate leads.

Skills

Sales experience

Commercial mindset

Account development

Stakeholder influence

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are working with a growing food business to appoint a Commercial & Business Development Manager within its Wholesale & Foodservice division.

This is a strategic and commercially focused role offering the opportunity to shape category growth, build key customer relationships, and drive market expansion within a growing organisation.

The Opportunity

You will take ownership of the foodservice category, working closely with customers, supply chain teams, product development colleagues and manufacturing partners to drive revenue growth and secure new business opportunities.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys combining hands-on business development with strategic account management and wants to make a tangible impact on commercial performance and future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive sales growth across wholesale and foodservice accounts through proactive account management and new business development.
• Build and strengthen relationships with customers across buying, supply chain and product development functions.
• Identify, develop and secure new customer opportunities, tenders and market sectors.
• Manage quotations, specifications, samples and project launches through to completion.
• Work cross-functionally with NPD, supply chain and operational teams to maximise commercial opportunities.
• Represent the business at customer meetings, industry events and exhibitions to build market presence and generate leads.

About You

We are interested in speaking with people who:

• Have sales or commercial experience within the food industry.
• Bring a strong commercial mindset and a track record of developing customer relationships.
• Enjoy winning new business while growing existing accounts.
• Are comfortable working independently and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Possess excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills.
• Have strong MS Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Have an interest in food, ingredients and consumer trends.

Why This Role?

• Opportunity to take ownership of a key commercial category and influence future growth.
• Exposure to a diverse customer base and a broad product portfolio.
• High levels of autonomy with the ability to shape customer strategy and market development.
• Join a growing business offering genuine opportunities for career progression.
• Varied role combining business development, account management and commercial strategy.

If you have experience within foodservice, wholesale, food manufacturing or food ingredients sales, I would be very interested in having a confidential conversation.

Applicants must be based in the UK with full working rights.

Due to high application volumes, if you do not hear from us within a week, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.