Business Development Manager (Perishables)

Fmk consulting; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A logistics company in the UK seeks a Business Development Manager to oversee customer management in the perishable sector. The successful candidate will drive profit and loss management, develop customer partnerships, and collaborate on commercial projects. Strong experience in account management and supply chain is essential. This role requires strong leadership and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively across teams. A full UK driving license is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Direct experience in account management and business development required.
• Extensive background in supply chain or logistics needed.
• Ability to propose solutions in a highly commercial environment.

Responsibilities

• Account manage and develop customers in the perishable market sector.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver high-standard commercial projects.
• Drive profit and loss management for the perishable customer base.

Skills

Account management

Business development

Leadership

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Operational foundation

Analytical skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

This is a dynamic role working in a fast-growing organisation with a world-class Cargo product. Our client is long renowned as the UK s number one port for fast-moving logistics in the ferry market, facilitating over 2.2 million HGV movements a year. They have developed a state-of-the-art cargo facility for a global platform.

The role is responsible for the profit and loss management of current and future customers in the perishable market sector. The successful candidate will account manage and business develop a base of current and future customers, actively broadening our client s perishable sector up and down the supply chain. The candidate will work with service teams and operations to deliver a range of commercial projects to the highest standards and contribute to ongoing sustainability, operations, and health & safety leadership.

The Business Development Manager will be part of the Commercial team based at our client s port offices. This role requires a strong customer focus, commercial and operational foundation, and a passion for delivering world-class supply chain solutions nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Account manage and develop current and future customers in the perishable market sector, focusing on growth across the supply chain.
• Collaborate with service teams and operations to deliver commercial projects to high standards.
• Drive profit and loss management for the perishable customer base.
• Develop customer partnerships aligned with the evolving commercial strategy, strengthening the customer portfolio and pipeline of business development work.
• Manage existing perishable partnerships and commercial activities to ensure a market-leading offering based on quality and customer service.
• Contribute to other business pillars when required: Ferry, Cargo, Cruise, Property, and Marina, and collaborate across departments from Operations to Commercial, People to Innovation.

Qualifications

• Must have direct experience within account management and business development
• Extensive experience within supply chain or logistics
• Experience within perishables and/or port sector (desirable)
• Industry experience with supermarkets/retailers, importers, agents, and/or shipping lines
• Ability to develop and implement proposals within a highly commercial environment
• Extensive experience in commercial roles, with a track record in business development and strategic partnerships
• Proven ability to deliver growth in a sales-led or commercial environment
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Good operational foundation within the supply chain environment
• Financial accounting awareness and experience in managing budgets and P&L accounts
• Confident user of Microsoft Office applications
• Full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle is essential
• Project management experience is advantageous
• Knowledge in food safety, security, and quality would be advantageous
• Government knowledge of perishable regulations would be advantageous

Management Principles

• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and confidence in engaging and influencing at Managing Director and Executive level
• Passionate about growth, innovation, and delivering new supply chain solutions
• Ability to undertake international, European, and UK travel
• Confident public speaker in representing our client s brand across the sector internationally
• Resilience and drive to exceed targets; creatively solving problems
• Analytical skills and ability to evaluate statistical and market data to make senior-level recommendations
• Energised by commercial opportunities and able to set out a target strategy
• Ability to negotiate and manage conflict with a proactive and pragmatic approach to deliver successful results
• Creative, open-minded, and innovative with the ability to see the bigger picture across the business
• Ability to develop strong collaborative relationships internally and externally
• Capable of identifying and implementing opportunities to expand service offerings