Business Development Manager - Foodservice

WR Logistics; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

WR Logistics is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth in the North East foodservice market. You'll identify, win and develop new customers across hospitality, leisure, healthcare, education and contract catering, building a strong pipeline and delivering against sales targets.

You'll be a commercially focused hunter, with excellent relationship skills, tenders and contract experience, and the ability to engage senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven B2B sales/BD experience in foodservice wholesale or related sector.
• Strong focus on growing new business and relationships.
• Ability to work in a hybrid/remote environment.
• Ability to negotiate and close deals.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prospect and win new foodservice customers across the North East.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with senior decision-makers and key customers.
• Own and develop a robust new business pipeline, forecasting opportunities and delivering against sales and margin targets.
• Create targeted business development plans for new sectors and geographical markets.
• Develop compelling commercial proposals tailored to customer requirements.
• Lead negotiations around pricing, contracts and commercial terms.
• Work closely with Buying, Sales, Marketing and Operations to create customer solutions and unlock growth.
• Monitor competitor activity and identify market opportunities and threats.
• Lead the development of tender submissions and framework opportunities, working closely with the Bid team.

Job description

Business Development Manager - Foodservice

Location: North East.

Salary: £50,000 basic + uncapped commission + car benefit.

Working: Remote / Hybrid.

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity for an ambitious Business Development Manager to join a leading UK foodservice wholesaler and play a key role in driving new business growth across the North East.

This is a high-profile, commercially focused role where you'll be responsible for identifying, winning and developing new foodservice customers, with a particular focus on multi-site operators across hospitality, leisure, healthcare, education and contract catering.

What You'll Do

• Identify, prospect and win new foodservice customers across the North East.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with senior decision-makers and key customers.
• Own and develop a robust new business pipeline, forecasting opportunities and delivering against sales and margin targets.
• Create targeted business development plans for new sectors and geographical markets.
• Develop compelling commercial proposals tailored to customer requirements.
• Lead negotiations around pricing, contracts and commercial terms.
• Work closely with Buying, Sales, Marketing and Operations to create customer solutions and unlock growth.
• Monitor competitor activity and identify market opportunities and threats.
• Lead the development of tender submissions and framework opportunities, working closely with the Bid team.

About You

We’re looking for a proven B2B Sales / Business Development professional with strong experience in foodservice, wholesale or a related sector.

You'll be:

• Commercially driven, ambitious and results focused.
• A confident new business hunter with a proven ability to win and convert opportunities.
• Highly customer-focused with excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Comfortable working with sales data, pipelines and commercial performance metrics.
• Experienced in tenders, contracts and/or framework agreements.
• Strategic enough to identify new markets, but hands‑on enough to make things happen.
• A strong communicator and negotiator who can engage confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Based ideally in the Newcastle / North East area, with the flexibility to cover the wider region.

What’s on Offer?

• £50,000 basic salary
• Uncapped commission - genuine opportunity to maximise earnings
• Car benefit
• Remote / hybrid working
• High-profile role with significant ownership of new business growth
• Opportunity to develop relationships with major multi-site foodservice operators
• Supportive, commercially focused leadership team

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're an ambitious BDM who thrives on winning new business, opening doors and turning opportunities into long-term commercial partnerships, this is an excellent opportunity to make your mark across the North East foodservice market.