Business Development Manager - Grocery | Wholesale | Foodservice

Business Development Manager – Grocery, Wholesale and Foodservice

The Opportunity

Our client is a growing UK food brand supplying natural cooking oils, pizza flour and frozen chicken products. With further product categories planned, including mayonnaise and additional flour ranges, the business is expanding its presence across the UK.

This is a field-based new business role for a commercially driven sales professional who can build a territory, win valuable customer relationships and convert opportunities into profitable, repeat revenue.

Your Territory

You will cover the North of England, including the North West, Yorkshire and the North East. Key locations include Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Newcastle, Chester and Stoke-on-Trent, across approximately 30 postcode areas.

The role involves four days in the field, with Friday normally worked remotely for customer follow-up, calls, administration, pipeline management and planning. Regular travel and occasional overnight stays will be required.

Key Responsibilities

Win new customers and secure profitable first orders across the territory.

Build a high-quality sales pipeline through structured prospecting, field visits, referrals and local market knowledge.

Develop relationships with independent and multiple retailers, distributors, cash and carry operators, buying groups, catering businesses and other trade customers.

Initiate conversations, arrange meetings, present products, handle objections, negotiate commercially and ask for the order.

Grow new accounts beyond the first order by understanding customer needs and identifying further opportunities.

Plan efficient territory coverage and manage travel, visits and follow-up activity effectively.

Maintain accurate records of customer conversations, opportunities, next actions, orders and forecast sales.

Share market insight with the wider business, including customer demand, competitor activity, pricing feedback and emerging product opportunities.

Work closely with operations, supply and customer service to deliver reliable customer commitments.

Must-Have Requirements

A demonstrable record of winning new customers in a field-based sales or business development role.

Confidence initiating conversations, arranging meetings, presenting products, handling objections and asking for the order.

Strong face-to-face negotiation skills and sound commercial judgement.

The organisation to manage a large geographic territory, travel schedule, pipeline and follow-up commitments.

Clear, professional spoken and written communication, with credibility across a wide range of customers.

Self-motivation, resilience and personal accountability for activity, follow-up and sales results.

A full UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle during the initial three-month period.

Nice-to-Have

Sales experience within food, FMCG, grocery, foodservice, HoReCa, wholesale or distribution.

Existing knowledge of relevant customers and buying structures across the North of England.

Experience launching or growing brands, product ranges or underdeveloped territories.

Evidence of generating repeat revenue after securing an initial order.

The company welcomes applications from people with relevant transferable experience, even if their background does not match every preferred point.

Salary & Package

Basic salary: £45,100 gross per year.

Commission: uncapped, 0.5% of eligible sales value, calculated and paid monthly (at the month-three target of £120,000, this equals £600 for that month). Eligibility and calculation rules to be confirmed in the written scheme.

Car support: £200 per month car allowance initially, followed by a company car after three months.

Fuel: business mileage or fuel reimbursed in line with company policy.

Travel expenses: reasonable hotel and meal costs covered for approved business trips.