Business Development Manager - Food Service

About the Company

Our client is an established UK food manufacturer with a portfolio of well-known consumer food brands and a strong reputation for quality, innovation and responsible long-term growth. With UK manufacturing operations and the backing of a wider international group, the business is looking to accelerate its presence within the UK foodservice market, developing new channels, customers and commercially sustainable revenue streams.

Location: Home-based, UK. Ideally Midlands or Northern England, with good access to the major road network and flexibility for regular UK travel.

Role Profile:

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across the UK foodservice market.
• Target end users, wholesalers, distributors, contract caterers and route-to-market partners.
• Develop opportunities across hospitality, travel, leisure, food-to-go, catering and public-sector channels.
• Build customer relationships from initial engagement through to commercial launch.
• Own and manage a structured sales pipeline covering value, volume, margin, timing and probability.
• Develop tailored customer proposals, presentations, sampling programmes and commercial recommendations.
• Lead negotiations to secure profitable trials, listings, contracts and repeat business.
• Develop channel and customer plans aligned to sales, volume and profitability targets.
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, NPD, Technical, Operations, Supply Chain and Finance.
• Provide accurate forecasting and commercial reporting while maintaining momentum through longer sales cycles.
• Represent the business at customer meetings, industry events and relevant trade shows.

Person Specification:

• Proven UK foodservice sales/business development experience is essential.
• Background within food manufacturing, branded food or food distribution would be highly relevant.
• Strong understanding of wholesalers, distributors, contract caterers and end-user routes to market.
• Demonstrable track record of winning new business from prospect identification through to launch.
• Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of pricing, margin, volume and profitable growth.
• Confident relationship builder able to open doors and develop relationships from a cold start.
• Experience managing complex opportunities and maintaining momentum through extended sales cycles.
• Strong presentation, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Self-motivated, entrepreneurial and resilient, with the ability to operate effectively from home.
• An established UK foodservice network and relevant wholesaler/distributor relationships would be advantageous.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly are essential.