Business Development Manager

We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to identify new business opportunities, develop strategic relationships and drive revenue growth across a professional services organisation operating within the UK and Ireland food industry.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing new markets, building relationships with industry stakeholders and growing existing revenue streams. The role combines business development, sales, account management, market research and strategic planning, with a strong emphasis on customer engagement and partnership development.

You will work closely with internal teams to develop and launch new products and services while ensuring a high level of service for customers and strategic partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, markets and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and implement effective business development and sales strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients and industry stakeholders.
• Conduct market research to identify industry trends, competitor activity and potential opportunities.
• Generate leads and manage the sales pipeline from prospecting through to closing.
• Prepare and deliver sales presentations, proposals and commercial negotiations.
• Attend industry events, networking functions, exhibitions and client meetings.
• Work collaboratively with marketing, technical and operations teams.
• Monitor sales performance and report on business development activity.
• Achieve or exceed agreed sales and revenue targets.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships across sectors of the UK and Ireland food industry, including scheme specifiers, industry organisations and strategic partners.
• Support the management of existing and new wholesaler relationships.
• Prepare and maintain sales strategies and pipelines.
• Identify opportunities for additional services and revenue streams.
• Contribute to the development of new products and services in line with the organisation's strategic plan.
• Project manage the introduction of new products and services through to launch and handover to operational teams.
• Monitor and report on product and service performance against budgets.

About You

You will be a commercially focused business development professional with strong relationship-building, sales and negotiation skills. You should be comfortable working independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues across different functions.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent relationship-building and networking skills.
• Strong sales and revenue-generation expertise.
• Market analysis and research capability.
• Excellent presentation and proposal-writing skills.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and industry professionals.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Relevant experience providing professional services to the food industry.
• 5+ years' experience in business development, sales or account management.
• Proven track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets.
• Experience using CRM systems and sales reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics and customer needs.

Key Performance Indicators

• Revenue growth and achievement of sales targets.
• Number of new clients acquired.
• Value of new business secured.
• Lead and opportunity conversion rates.
• Client retention and relationship growth.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (£45k - £60k DOE)
• Paid Travel expenses
• Team bonus and/or commission.
• Holiday allowance.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements

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