Business Development Manager - Covering Midlands and South West (M5 / M4 Corridor).

Henley Bridge Ingredients Ltd; Lewes; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic company is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to champion their product range in the food service sector. This home-based role involves driving sales, managing customer relationships, and identifying new growth opportunities. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in the food industry and outstanding communication and analytical skills.

Benefits

Home-based with travel flexibility

Opportunity to represent at trade shows

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the Food Service sector, including Bakery and Gelato.
• Proven experience in customer-focused sales role within the food industry.
• Confident communicator with solid presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Driving sales and margin targets while managing an account portfolio.
• Building long-term customer relationships and spotting new product opportunities.
• Preparing sales presentations and representing at trade shows.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship Building

Communication

Analysis

Tools

CRM System

Job description

Overall, Role Purpose:

This is your chance to be at the heart of a dynamic, flavour-filled business! As our Business Development Manager, you’ll be championing our delicious range of products, working closely with existing and potential customers to boost sales, build lasting relationships, and hit those tasty KPIs.
You’ll play a key role in bringing our products to life through demos, sharing technical knowledge, and identifying exciting new opportunities for growth. Think of yourself as a Henley Bridge ambassador—passionate, knowledgeable, and always ready to inspire!

Principal Functions / Responsibilities:

• Driving initiatives to hit (and exceed!) sales and margin targets.
• Managing your own portfolio of existing accounts—maximising their potential and profitability.
• Proactively seeking out new customers and creating strong, long-term partnerships.
• Spotting opportunities for new product development and collaborating internally to bring them to market.
• Providing accurate customer forecasts to support planning across the business.
• Preparing sales presentations, contracts, and pricing proposals that make our offering shine.
• Representing us at trade shows and exhibitions to showcase our delightful range.
• Collaborating with other BDMs, Internal Sales, and Customer Services—sharing your expertise and supporting on product application and brand awareness.
• Ensuring follow-up from all customer visits is logged and actioned on your Weekly Activity Report.
• Keeping your weekly electronic diary up to date and sharing it with the relevant team members.
• Leading marketing activity in your sector—this includes events, launches, promos, and customer communications.
• Authorising and following up on product samples.
• Submitting your monthly expenses promptly (a small but important one!).
• Providing cover for other BDMs if needed.

Qualifications:

Essential

• Extensive Knowledge of the Food Service sector with desirable knowledge of the Bakery and Gelato sectors.
• Proven experience in a customer focused sales role.
• A background in selling food industry products.
• A solid understanding of how the food industry ticks.
• Great influencing and negotiation chops.
• A natural relationship builder, both internally and externally.
• Confident communicator with excellent written, verbal, and listening skills.
• Sharp numeracy, analysis and presentation skills.
• Able to spot trends in sales data and build solid action plans.
• Organised, with good IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• A sound understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and P&L.
• Commercially savvy and customer-centric.
• A great team player with strong interpersonal skills and excellent time management.
• A full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the chocolate, bakery, food service or ice cream sectors.
• Experience using a CRM system.

Working Hours and Location:

• Home-based, with plenty of travel and some overnight stays.
• Monday–Friday, 08:45–16:45, with flexibility as required.