Business Development Manager - FMCG

Lancashire Farm Dairies; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in the UK seeks a Business Development Manager to drive growth within retail accounts. The role involves building relationships, maximizing sales, and executing strategies for sustainable profitability. Ideal candidates will have a background in business development in FMCG, excellent communication skills, and the ability to make data-driven decisions. This position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and the chance to excel in a rapidly growing environment.

Benefits

Competitive Salary and Holidays

Holiday Buy Back Scheme

Life Insurance

Membership to Grocery Aid Support Services

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development or sales roles, preferably within a related industry.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for agreed accounts.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities within existing and new accounts.
• Maximise profitable sales by achieving and exceeding budgeted revenue and margin objectives.
• Develop and expand relationships with new clients across the UK and Europe.
• Build a strong pipeline of new leads and market opportunities.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Communication

Job description

This is an amazing opportunity to join one of the top 100 fastest growing and multi award winning food manufacturing companies in the UK.

Due to significant growth, Lancashire Farm Dairies are seeking an enthusiastic, confident, and tenacious Business Development Manager to join our rapidly expanding FMCG brand. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing the commercial growth strategy for a portfolio of major retail accounts, including expanding distribution, increasing SKU count per customer, securing sales‑driving agreements, and ensuring the execution of all customer agreements.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a commercially driven role within an FMCG chilled food environment with experience dealing with major retail accounts.

As Business Development Manager, you should excel at building strong business relationships and possess effective communication and influencing skills. You will take a highly commercial approach to product costing, account planning, margin management, and terms negotiation, and be skilled in data analysis, report creation, and presenting ideas and solutions creatively and engagingly.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for agreed accounts, building and maintaining strong, strategic relationships with category directors.
• Proactively identify and convert new business opportunities within existing and new accounts to deliver against agreed new business and growth targets.
• Maximise profitable sales by achieving and exceeding budgeted revenue and margin objectives.
• Develop and expand relationships with new clients across the UK and Europe, driving sustainable growth and long‑term profitability.
• Build a strong pipeline of new leads, prospects, and market opportunities, ensuring the consistent development of profitable business.
• Strengthen and grow customer relationships, ensuring retention, satisfaction, and incremental business opportunities.
• Identify and secure additional growth within existing accounts through cross‑selling, upselling, and range extensions.
• Lead pricing and promotional strategies with customers to achieve agreed budgets and deliver commercial objectives.
• Continuously review and optimise customer visit cycles to maximise efficiency and support acquisition of new accounts.
• Conduct regular competitor analysis and benchmarking to identify market trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive category and range growth by actively leading the introduction of new lines and business opportunities.
• Support and execute retailer strategies and joint business plans, ensuring alignment with business objectives, profitability, and promotional activities.
• Leverage and manage stakeholder relationships across multiple retailer functions to influence and deliver the business agenda.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development or sales roles, preferably within a related industry.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on data‑driven decision‑making.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary and Holidays
• Holiday Buy Back Scheme
• Life Insurance
• Membership to Grocery Aid Support Services

Join us as we strive for excellence in our field! If you are passionate about driving business success through innovative strategies and relationship‑building, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications: 20 January 2026

Lancashire Farm is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.