Business Development Manager - Dishpatch

John Lewis Partnership; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail partnership is seeking a passionate Business Development Manager for Dishpatch, a meal-kit delivery service. This role, reporting directly to the CEO, requires experience in entrepreneurial environments and managing projects amidst ambiguity. The position offers a salary of up to £60,000, a hybrid working model, and opportunities for career progression. Final applications are due by November 16, 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing in ambiguity.
• Successful record in delivering projects and outcomes.
• Comfortable working in a small team setting.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for special project delivery and managing project budgets.
• Support development of new revenue streams.
• Collaborate with Dishpatch and Waitrose teams for timely planning.
• Deliver on the Waitrose vision and objectives.

Skills

Experience in start-up/entrepreneurial environments

Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment

Experience negotiating commercial terms

Experience managing complex projects and deadlines

Experience developing executive reports for senior leaders

Experience of stakeholder management at senior levels

Job description

About the Role

We have a brand new role for someone with a passion for food, to join Dishpatch as a Business Development Manager, reporting into the CEO of Dishpatch. Waitrose & Partners recently acquired Dishpatch, a meal‑kit delivery service that provides restaurant‑quality home dining made by some of the UK’s leading chefs. Dishpatch replicates a restaurant experience without leaving the house with chef‑prepared dishes. Customers can choose from over 30 menus delivered nationally on Fridays – perfect timing for an indulgent weekend meal! Unlike other meal kit companies, our dishes come pre‑prepared with only a few simple steps to finish, truly taking the hassle out of high‑end home dining for our customers.

As a Business Development Manager you will work directly with the CEO across marketing, product and operations sides of the business. You will scope new initiatives to bring forward as proposals and support existing projects that are already in flight. You will be used to working with ambiguity and are a self‑starter with a drive for results. The successful candidate must be comfortable being “hands on” when needed but also know how to avoid being stuck in the weeds of a project.

Dishpatch is a small start‑up within the wider Waitrose business, you should feel comfortable working in a small team where taking accountability for outcomes is a minimum expectation.

Compensation & Contract

• Expected salary – Salary up to £60,000 depending on experience.
• Contract type – Secondment/Fixed Term contract for 12 months.
• Interviews – 2‑stage interview process, 1st stage likely virtual and 2nd stage in person.

Working Pattern & Location

• Working pattern/flexible working – Hybrid approach: work a mixture between office and home; team expected to be in office 3 days per week in Greenwich, London. Travel to other Partnership locations may be required on occasions.
• Location – Greenwich, London. Dishpatch base is conveniently located near the tube station or a few minutes from the Blackwall Tunnel with on‑site parking.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for special project delivery and supporting the forecasting and projections of project budgets.
• Support the development of future revenue streams.
• Work effectively with Dishpatch and the Waitrose brand capability areas to ensure activities are planned, prioritised and resourced in a timely manner within capacity constraints.
• Collaborate with other partners in Dishpatch to deliver the Waitrose vision and objectives.

Essential Skills / Experience

• Experience in start‑up/entrepreneurial environments.
• Experience managing in ambiguity.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms.
• Experience managing complex projects and deadlines.
• Experience developing executive reports/communications for senior leaders.
• Experience of stakeholder management at senior levels.

Desirable Skills / Experience

• Experience working within D2C e‑commerce environments.
• Experience managing teams consisting of internal and external resources, including building and managing third‑party supplier relationships.
• A clear passion for innovation and change with demonstrable evidence of innovative delivery.

Closing Date

November 16, 2025

Important Points

Some roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (e.g., DBS checks). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information during the recruitment process. We recommend you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.

We also support flexible working, which might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.