Business Development Manager - Foodservice

Agrial; Wigan; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Wigan is seeking a Business Development Manager for a 6-month FTC to drive new customer acquisition in the Foodservice sector. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in Business Development and an existing network within the industry. This role offers a competitive salary and potential for a permanent position based on performance. Join us to help expand the Florette brand in a dynamic market.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual leave of 33 days

Personalized training and development

Employee discount platform

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Business Development within the Food sector.
• Existing network with Foodservice customers.
• Ability to deliver tactical and strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Win and grow new customers within the Hotel, Pubs & Restaurant channels.
• Develop a new sales strategy for customer growth.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers.

Skills

Business Development experience

Networking capability

Understanding of Food Service industry

Negotiation skills

Customer focus

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Business Development Manager - Foodservice and QSR (6 month FTC)

We have an incredible opportunity for a Business Development Manager (6 month FTC) to join Florette at our Agrial Fresh Produce Factory in Wigan, WN5 0LB. This role is ideal for a proactive, persuasive, and approachable person with strong knowledge of UK wholesalers, QSRs, Foodservice, and the wider industry. The successful candidate will have contacts in the Foodservice and QSR sector and will work to network the Florette Foodservice brand into new customers as the business expands. The role may lead to a permanent position for the right candidate in the future.

You will demonstrate networking capability to develop business across the UK Wholesalers and end-QSR operators, as well as with Contract Caterers, to build relationships with key decision-makers and support business growth. Notable experience in Business Development and an existing network within the Food sector is essential. Fresh Produce experience or another FMCG environment is highly desirable.

Working hours

Mon-Fri, 08:30am - 17:00pm, 37.5 hours per week

Pay

Competitive salary with car allowance

Main Responsibilities

• Win and grow new customers within the Hotel, Pubs & Restaurant channels (focusing on QSRs) and Contract Catering sector by leveraging routes to market.
• Develop a new sales strategy for the customer, sales volumes, value and profitability within objectives and budgets.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers through excellent account management and timely, relevant data provision.
• Coordinate and execute feasible EPD & NPD launches internally and with customers, ensuring projects are fully costed and approved before proposals and launches.
• Report internal commercial updates to relevant departments and meeting forums using MS Excel and PowerPoint, ensuring data accuracy and professional presentation.
• Negotiate and manage Seasonal & Annual price contracts with the selected customer base to achieve agreed profit levels on time.
• Manage newly onboarded accounts in a proactive, long-term perspective.

Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in Business Development within the Food sector; Fresh Produce or FMCG experience is highly desirable.
• Existing network and track record with Foodservice customers and the broader food supplier industry.
• Ability to understand Agrial’s P&L and identify discrepancies and opportunities with a clear action plan.
• Ability to deliver tactical and strategic plans, using marketing insights to enhance product and company offerings.
• Willingness to challenge ways of working and find creative solutions to internal and external challenges.
• Customer-focused, entrepreneurial, proactive, tenacious, with integrity and drive to succeed.
• Ability to convert insights into decisions and actions quickly, and to work at speed in a fast-moving environment with customers.

What You Will Get In Return

Benefits

• Life Assurance: 3x basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Remote GP service and 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues.
• Annual leave entitlement: 33 days per annum pro rata inclusive of UK Bank Holidays.
• Training and Development: Personalised induction and ongoing training and development courses.
• Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform and salary finance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.
• Other: Recognition awards, regular employee engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, on-site physio and occupational health nurse access.

About Us

Agrial Fresh Produce is one of three UK food manufacturing factories within Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd, part of the larger 22,000-employee French co-operative group, Agrial. Our Wigan site processes and distributes pre-packed, ready-to-eat, fresh salad bags and bowls to UK retailers and restaurants. We operate on Martland Park Industrial Estate, with operations across 18 regions, 280 farming outlets, and 5 divisions, including Fresh Produce. We are a leading producer in the industry under the Florette salad brand. We sell around 600,000 kg of products weekly. Our EPIC values guide our teamwork.

Next Steps

It is an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to innovate in everything we do. If you have the skills and experience we are looking for and want a fresh challenge, we would love for you to join us on our journey. Please apply directly or contact Will Kaye, Recruitment Officer, for a confidential discussion.

Agrial Fresh Produce reserves the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role; applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are committed to responsible recruitment and supporting mental health and wellbeing among staff.