Director of Business Development

Excel Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Excel Recruitment seeks a senior Business Development & Growth Director to join the Executive Leadership Team in Dublin. You will drive major new business growth, secure significant contracts and shape the long-term commercial strategy in the food solutions and business services sector.

The role reports to the CEO and requires building high-level relationships, leading a high-performing team and delivering profitable partnerships across markets in Ireland.

Qualifications

• Senior leader with director or executive-level experience in business development.
• Proven track record of securing multi-million-euro B2B contracts and revenue growth.
• Extensive experience leading tenders, RFPs and competitive bid processes.
• Strong ability to influence at CEO, C-suite and board level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an ambitious commercial growth and new business strategy.
• Identify and secure high-value B2B opportunities across markets.
• Lead major tenders, RFPs and competitive bid processes from start to contract award.
• Negotiate pricing, volume, margins and terms for long-term value.
• Build relationships with senior decision-makers and executives.
• Develop a robust pipeline of strategic partnerships and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations and the Executive Leadership Team to ensure viability and delivery.

Skills

Strategic business development

C-suite relationship building

Contract negotiation

Tender management

FMCG / food sector expertise

Job description

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a senior Business Development & Growth Director to join the Executive Leadership Team of a leading organisation within the food solutions and business services sector In Dublin Ireland.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a C-suite commercial leadership role with responsibility for driving significant new business growth, securing major contracts and shaping the organisation's long-term commercial strategy.

We are particularly interested in senior commercial leaders from FMCG, foodservice, food solutions, food distribution or high-volume B2B environments who have successfully led complex tenders, major commercial negotiations and multi-million-euro contract wins in Ireland.

You will be an accomplished business developer and strategic commercial leader – someone who can open doors, build relationships at the highest level and convert complex opportunities into profitable, long-term partnerships.

The Role

As Business Development & Growth Director, you will:

• Develop and execute an ambitious commercial growth and new business strategy.
• Identify and secure large-scale, high-value B2B opportunities across existing and new markets.
• Lead major tenders, RFPs and competitive bid processes from initial opportunity through to contract award.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations across pricing, volume, margin, service delivery, contract terms and long-term value.
• Build influential relationships with CEOs, C-suite executives, procurement leaders and senior decision-makers.
• Develop a strong pipeline of significant new business opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Work closely with Finance, Operations and the Executive Leadership Team to ensure opportunities are commercially viable, profitable and operationally deliverable.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and new routes for commercial growth.
• Lead and develop a high-performing commercial and business development team.
• Play a key role at Executive Leadership level, influencing the organisation's wider commercial direction and growth strategy.

About You

We are looking for a commercially ambitious senior leader with significant experience operating at Director or Executive level.

You will ideally have:

• Experience as a Business Development Director, Commercial Director, Sales Director, Growth Director or similar senior commercial leader.
• Strong experience within FMCG, foodservice, food solutions, food distribution or a comparable high-volume commercial environment.
• A proven track record of securing significant, multi-million-euro B2B contracts and delivering substantial revenue growth.
• Extensive experience leading complex tenders, RFPs and competitive bid processes.
• Strong commercial negotiation experience within food or FMCG, including pricing, margins, volume, supply, service delivery and contract terms.
• The ability to assess opportunities across revenue, profitability, risk and long-term commercial value.
• A strong understanding of commercial environments where procurement, supply chain, pricing and operational delivery are critical to success.
• Exceptional influencing and negotiation skills with the credibility to operate at CEO, C-suite and Board level.
• A strong network and the ability to create opportunities, build senior relationships and convert them into long-term commercial partnerships.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing commercial teams.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a highly influential commercial leadership position, working directly with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.

You will have the opportunity to shape commercial strategy, lead major business wins and play a central role in the next phase of the organisation's growth.

If you are a senior FMCG, foodservice or food solutions commercial leader with a strong track record in major tenders, complex negotiations and new business growth, we would be very interested in speaking with you.

All applications and conversations will be treated in the strictest confidence.