Business Development Manager - Liquor

Bidfood; Timaru; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bidfood is seeking a commercially astute Business Development Manager - Liquor to drive growth and performance of our liquor category across hospitality operators in New Zealand. You will shape strategy, grow sales, and strengthen supplier partnerships while supporting our sales teams.

The role requires market insight, relationship building, and a proven track in category management or sales, with a passion for the liquor industry.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Category Management, Sales, Business Development, or Account Management.
• Experience within the liquor, FMCG, beverage, or hospitality sectors is highly desirable.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach with exceptional organisational skills.
• Passion for the liquor industry and understanding of market trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies that increase category sales, profitability, and market share.
• Identify emerging opportunities and trends within the liquor market.
• Monitor performance and deliver actionable insights to drive continual growth.
• Champion the liquor category across the business.
• Provide training, advice, and market insight to Account Managers and customers.
• Influence range reviews, pricing strategies, and supplier selections.
• Develop trusted relationships with bars, restaurants, cafés, retailers, and hospitality operators.
• Work alongside suppliers to maximise brand opportunities and category performance.
• Conduct regular customer visits to uncover opportunities and strengthen engagement.
• Plan and support promotional campaigns, customer events, tradeshows, and industry activations.
• Create initiatives that drive awareness, engagement, and sales growth.
• Analyse sales, margin, pricing, and inventory performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and customer outcomes.
• Maintain accurate customer and sales information while ensuring seamless execution.

Skills

Category mgmt

Sales

BD

Account Mgmt

Liquor industry

Analytical

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship building

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

At Bidfood, we're on a mission to be New Zealand's leading foodservice distributor, delivering exceptional service, innovative solutions, and outstanding value to our customers.

Our success is built on strong partnerships, talented people, and a passion for helping our customers thrive. When our customers succeed, so do our people, suppliers, and communities.

Our Values Drive Everything We Do

• Ownership - We take responsibility and make things happen.
• Quality - We strive for excellence in every interaction.
• Care - We genuinely care about our customers, colleagues, and community.
• People - We achieve more together.
• Passion - We bring energy, commitment, and drive to our work every day.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about the liquor industry and excited by the challenge of growing a category with real potential?

We're looking for an ambitious and commercially astute Business Development Manager - Liquor to lead the growth, strategy, and performance of one of our most exciting product categories.

This is more than a category management role. It's an opportunity to influence business performance, strengthen supplier partnerships, support our sales teams, and work closely with hospitality customers across the region. You'll be at the forefront of identifying market trends, driving sales growth, and creating winning category strategies that deliver results.

If you thrive on building relationships, spotting opportunities, and turning insights into action, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

Drive Category Growth

• Develop and execute strategies that increase category sales, profitability, and market share.
• Identify emerging opportunities and trends within the liquor market.
• Monitor performance and deliver actionable insights to drive continual growth.

Be the Category Expert

• Champion the liquor category across the business.
• Provide training, advice, and market insight to Account Managersand customers.
• Influence range reviews, pricing strategies, and supplier selections.

Build Strong Partnerships

• Develop trusted relationships with bars, restaurants, cafés, retailers, and hospitality operators.
• Work alongside suppliers to maximise brand opportunities andcategory performance.
• Conduct regular customer visits to uncover opportunities and strengthen engagement.

Lead Exciting Activations

• Plan and support promotional campaigns, customer events, tradeshows, and industry activations.
• Create initiatives that drive awareness, engagement, and sales growth.
• Analyse sales, margin, pricing, and inventory performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and customer outcomes.
• Maintain accurate customer and sales information while ensuring seamless execution.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience in Category Management, Sales, Business Development, or Account Management.
• Experience within the liquor, FMCG, beverage, or hospitality sectors is highly desirable.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-buildingskills.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach with exceptionalorganisational skills.
• Passion for the liquor industry and understanding of market trends.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

Make a Real Impact - Take ownership of a high-profile category and help shape its future direction.

Grow Your Career - Access ongoing professional development, supplier engagement opportunities, and industry exposure.

Join a Winning Team - Work alongside passionate, high-performing people who genuinely support each other's success.

Be Part of Something Bigger - Contribute to a business that values innovation, collaboration, customer success, and continuous improvement.

Ready to Raise the Bar?

If you're looking for a role where you can combine commercial thinking, customer relationships, and a passion for the liquor industry, this is your opportunity.