Job Description
Business Development Manager – Food Ingredients
South East England | Home-Based Field Sales Role
Highly Competitive Salary + £7,200 Car Allowance + 10% Bonus + Benefits
A successful and fast-growing food ingredients distributor is looking to appoint a Business Development Manager to support continued growth across South East England.
This is a home-based, field sales role covering a portfolio of valued customers while also driving new business development across key channels including foodservice wholesalers, distributors, bakers, chocolatiers and gelato manufacturers.
The business supplies a broad range of specialist food ingredients from leading global brands and partners closely with food producers to help them develop, improve and bring exciting products to market.
The Role
Reporting to the Sales Director, you will be responsible for proactively promoting the company’s product portfolio, maximising sales and margin opportunities, and developing long-term customer relationships across your territory.
You will manage existing accounts, identify and convert new business opportunities, follow up on leads provided by internal sales support, and act as a trusted commercial partner to customers across the food industry.
The role will also involve supporting product application discussions and demonstrations, working closely with internal teams to contribute towards the overall sales strategy and growth targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and grow a portfolio of existing customers across South East England
- Proactively target and win new business across relevant food industry channels
- Build strong, long-term relationships with customers and internal stakeholders
- Identify opportunities for new product development and wider product penetration
- Monitor competitor activity, customer needs and market trends
- Maximise sales, margin and volume growth across the territory
- Represent the business professionally as a knowledgeable ambassador within the sector
- Maintain accurate records, forecasts and customer activity through internal systems
About You
The successful candidate will have experience in a customer-focused sales environment, ideally within the food industry or a closely related sector.
You will be commercially aware, confident building relationships, and able to identify opportunities through strong customer engagement and sales analysis.
You will also bring:
- Experience selling products within the food industry
- Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills
- The ability to build excellent relationships with customers and colleagues
- Good numerical, analytical and presentation skills
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of customer needs
- Experience working with sales budgets, forecasts and P&Ls
- Good administrative and IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Excellent time management and organisation skills
- A full UK driving licence
Knowledge of the chocolate, bakery, foodservice or ice cream sectors would be highly advantageous, as would experience using a CRM system.
Package & Benefits
- Highly competitive basic salary
- £7,200 car allowance
- Mileage reimbursement: 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p thereafter
- 10% company bonus
- Contributory pension scheme
- 25 days’ holiday plus an additional day off for your birthday
- Life insurance
- Healthcare
- Perk Box membership
- Home-based contract
Location
This is a home-based field sales role covering South East England. Applicants must currently reside within the region.
How to Apply
If you have the relevant experience and would like to find out more, please apply below or contact Aidan at FMCG Selection on 01943 667280 or via [email protected].
All applications will be handled in strict confidence.