Business Development Manager

This is a remote position.

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

Success in the role will be measured against:

• 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.
  

• Team bonus and/or commission.
  

• Holiday allowance.
  

• Professional development opportunities.
  

• Flexible working arrangements.