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

Agrial Fresh Produce; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A food manufacturing company based in Wigan is seeking a Business Development Manager for Foodservice and QSRs. This role focuses on growing new customer bases, particularly in the Hotel and Restaurant sectors. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in business development within the food sector and is skilled at relationship management. This position offers a competitive salary, car allowance, and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Car allowance

Employee discount platform

Life Assurance

Training and Development

Qualifications

• Notable experience in Business Development within the Food sector is essential.
• Existing network and knowledge of Foodservice customers.
• Ability to understand P&L and spot discrepancies and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Win and grow new customers in Hotel, Pubs & Restaurant channels.
• Develop new sales strategies aligning with objectives and budgets.
• Create effective relationships with customers through excellent account management.

Skills

Business Development

Customer Centricity

Negotiation

Strategic Planning

Network Development

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

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

We are seeking a proactive, persuasive, and approachable person with strong knowledge of UK Wholesalers, QSRs, Foodservice, and the wider industry. The successful candidate will have contacts across the Foodservice and QSR sectors to help network the Florette Foodservice brand into new customers as the business expands. This role is based at the Agrial Fresh Produce Factory in Wigan, WN5 0LB.

Responsibilities

• To win and grow new customers within the Hotel, Pubs & Restaurant channels (focusing on QSRs) and Contract Catering by leveraging the routes to market.
• Develop a new sales strategy for the customer, sales volumes, value and profitability in accordance with objectives and budgets.
• Create and consolidate effective relationships with customers through excellent account management, customer service, and providing relevant data within agreed timescales.
• Coordinate and execute feasible EPD & NPD launches internally and with customers, ensuring projects are fully costed and approved internally prior to 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 deliver agreed profit levels on time.
• Manage newly onboarded accounts in a proactive and long-term perspective.

Skills and Experience

• Notable experience in Business Development within the Food sector is essential; Fresh Produce or another FMCG environment is highly desirable.
• Existing network, knowledge of, and track record with Foodservice customers and the larger food supplier industry.
• Ability to understand Agrial’s P&L and quickly spot discrepancies and opportunities, with a clear action plan.
• Ability to deliver tactical and strategic plans that underpin category vision, using marketing insights to enhance Agrial’s product and company offerings.
• Willingness to challenge ways of working and evaluate risks, with creative solutions to internal and external challenges.
• Customer-centric, entrepreneurial, reactive, tenacious, and motivated to succeed ethically.
• Ability to turn insights into decisions and actions quickly, and to work at speed in a fast-moving environment with internal and customer stakeholders.

What You Will Get In Return

• A competitive annual salary with a car allowance, and a range of employee benefits typical of a market-leading business.
• 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 regular training and development courses.
• Benefits Platform: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers, salary advance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.
• Other: Recognition awards, regular employee engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, and access to a free physio and on-site occupational health nurse.

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. Located on Martland Park Industrial Estate, we are connected to major motorways (M61, M6, M62). We are part of the Florette brand and are a leading UK producer, selling around 600,000 kg of products weekly.

Agrial operates across 18 regions with 280 farming outlets and five divisions (Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Fresh Produce & Agricultural operations). Our sites operate under Agrial Fresh Produce Limited, aligned with Agrial’s vegetable division. We pursue EPIC values and teamwork.

Next Steps

It’s an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to innovate in our work. If you have the skills and experience we are looking for, we would love to discuss your application. Please apply directly or contact Will Kaye, Recruitment Officer, for a confidential discussion.

VISA Sponsorship

Agrial Fresh Produce is not a licensed UK visa sponsor and cannot employ anyone without legal right to live and work in the UK. Our recruitment process will require evidence of your Right to Work.

Equal Opportunities

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. We support responsible recruitment, and no worker should pay recruitment costs; if applicable, costs should be borne by the employer.

We are committed to mental health and wellbeing and have a Mental Health at Work Commitment. We encourage applications from individuals with experience of poor mental health and support staff to fulfill their potential.