Business Development Manager - Food & Beverage

Merritt Recruitment Limited.; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Career development opportunities

Exposure to a technical product portfolio

Job summary

Merritt Recruitment Limited. is seeking a Business Development Manager in the United Kingdom who is passionate about Food & Beverage. The role involves identifying and developing new business opportunities in high-quality botanical extracts within the global market.

The ideal candidate has proven B2B experience in Food & Beverage, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to build sustainable customer relationships. A competitive salary and performance-related bonus are offered along with career growth in a collaborative organization.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in B2B Food & Beverage ingredients, particularly in botanical extracts.
• Strong understanding of ingredient supply chains and commercial negotiation practices.
• Experience working with brand owners, manufacturers, or ingredient distributors.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new Food, Beverage, and Nutrition opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Manage pricing and commercial negotiations.

Skills

Commercial negotiation

Relationship building

Market analysis

Sales management

Education

Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Business or similar

Job description

Business Development Manager – Food & Beverage

UK-based with International Travel

Are you a commercially driven Food & Beverage professional with a passion for ingredients and customer-led growth? This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in expanding a high-quality botanical extract portfolio across global F&B markets.

Reporting to the Business Manager – Food & Beverage, you will be responsible for identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities while nurturing long-term customer partnerships. You will manage a structured sales pipeline, lead commercial discussions and contribute directly to revenue growth and margin performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new Food, Beverage, and Nutrition opportunities across agreed target markets.
• Build strong, sustainable customer relationships, driving repeat business and portfolio expansion.
• Manage pricing and commercial negotiations in line with profitability objectives.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging customer needs, providing clear commercial insight.
• Represent the business at industry events, exhibitions, and key customer meetings.
• Collaborate closely with Technical, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to ensure customer requirements are clearly defined and delivered.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, forecasts, and pipeline visibility.

About You

• Proven experience in B2B Food & Beverage ingredients, such as botanical extracts, flavours, or functional ingredients.
• Strong understanding of ingredient supply chains and commercial negotiation.
• Experience working with brand owners, manufacturers, or ingredient distributors.
• Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Business, or similar (preferred).
• Fluent English; additional languages an advantage.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• You must have a full UK driving license.
• You must have the right to work in the UK as our client cannot support visa sponsorship.

What’s on Offer

• A key role in a growing Food & Beverage business with clear strategic ambition.
• Competitive salary with performance-related bonus.
• Career development within an entrepreneurial, collaborative organisation.
• Exposure to a differentiated, technically supported botanical extract portfolio.