Business Development Manager

Alvis Brothers Ltd (Lye Cross Farm); United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food distribution company is seeking a Business Development Manager to strengthen relationships with UK customers. This hybrid role involves networking, negotiating contracts, and managing key accounts, with approximately 60% travel. Candidates should have proven negotiating skills and ideally experience in the dairy sector. A degree is desirable but not essential. This role offers a competitive salary, car allowance, and a bonus structure.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Car allowance

10% bonus

24 days annual leave

10% off at our farm shop

Qualifications

• Experience as a BDM, Wholesale or Foodservice Account Manager.
• Commercial awareness in the dairy sector is advantageous.
• Demonstrated negotiating experience and success in new business development.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with key accounts.
• Network with UK customers to address specific needs.
• Negotiate contracts and ensure brand consistency.

Skills

Fluent in spoken and written English

Organised and methodical

Analytical and proactive

Strong influencing skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Education

Degree-level qualification

GCSE grade C/4 in English and Maths equivalent

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Role and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Sales Director, the Business Development Manager (BDM) is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with key accounts, delivering sales budgets and being an ambassador for the business internally and externally in the designated accounts. A close working relationship with the sales office team will be required.

Duties

• Network with key UK customers to identify and address specific needs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with customers to ensure long-term success.
• Your typical working week would be one day working from home, two to three days out in trade and the remaining one to two days in head office.
• Account base will include key wholesale food distributors, experience of dealing with these customers would be advantageous.
• UK wide travel is required, approximately 60% of your time will be spent travelling for existing customer and new business visits.
• Act as the liaison between customers and internal teams ensuring clients’ requirements are met.
• Identify and attract new strategic customers.
• Ensure brand consistency.
• Negotiate contracts.
• Collect and analyse sales data and trends.
• Ensure internal company functions maintain the highest level of customer service to customers.
• Liaise with sales and marketing colleagues to set and implement strategies for new products.
• Stay up-to-date with internal and external developments and suggest new ways to increase sales.
• Provide forecasts for financial and production colleagues.
• Attend and contribute to monthly sales meetings.
• Identify trade shows beneficial for company attendance, attending when appropriate.

Preferred Skills

• Fluent in spoken and written English, with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Organised, methodical, analytical and proactive with strong influencing skills, and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel.
• Previous experience as a BDM, Wholesale or Foodservice Account Manager or similar.
• Commercial awareness and experience in the dairy sector would be advantageous.
• Demonstrable previous negotiating experience and new business development success.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

A degree-level qualification is desirable but not essential. Equivalent professional experience will be considered. Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English and Maths, typically evidenced by GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent qualifications or experience.

Full driving licence essential.

Additional Notes

The nature of the business means that this is a hands‑on role and the individual must be prepared to liaise cross functionally to ensure that opportunities are ‘landed’ and delivered to the standard required by the customer.

This role offers hybrid working, with one day per week (minimum) based at our head office. While proximity to the office is advantageous for ease of travel, we welcome applications from candidates who can reliably meet this requirement.

Package

• Competitive salary
• Car allowance
• 10% bonus
• 24 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• 10% off at our farm shop