Business Development Manager – Food & Beverage (London Focused)
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 + Company Car
Location: London & South East (1 day s week at site in Kent)
We’re recruiting on behalf of a leading drinks manufacturer seeking a dynamic Business Development Manager to drive new business growth across the London foodservice and hospitality sector.
This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive sales professional who thrives on securing new accounts and developing strong relationships with key hotel and restaurant groups.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Sales, you will:
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Identify and secure new business opportunities across London, focusing on major hotel and restaurant groups.
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Build and nurture strong customer relationships to deliver growth and maximise revenue opportunities.
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Manage or co-manage customer New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects.
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Take an active role in price negotiations, ensuring margin and profitability targets are met.
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Collaborate with internal teams to deliver excellent customer service and project execution.
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Develop and deliver customer plans and objectives aligned with overall business strategy.
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Conduct regular customer visits to build trust, identify gaps, and drive business forward.
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Keep meticulous records of customer activity, sales forecasts, and project status.
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Develop in-depth knowledge of products, manufacturing capabilities, and market trends.
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Contribute to the continuous improvement of business processes and customer engagement.
About You
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Proven track record in new business sales within the drinks sector, particularly into foodservice, hospitality, or distribution channels.
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Experience selling into key hotel and restaurant groups.
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Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills.
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Confident communicator, able to deliver compelling presentations and influence at all levels.
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Commercially astute, with strong awareness of margins, P&L, and trading terms.
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Highly motivated, target-driven, and proactive in pursuing opportunities.
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Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
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Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.
Desirable:
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Experience in chilled or short shelf-life food and drink products.
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Degree-level education (preferred but not essential).
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Understanding of customer NPD/EPD processes.
Other:
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Ideally live within the M25 boundary for easy access into London.
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Full UK driving licence.
The Package
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Salary £40,000 – £45,000 (depending on experience)
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Company car provided
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Opportunity to work with a reputable manufacturer and shape growth in a key market
If you’re an ambitious sales professional looking to take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today to discuss this exciting opportunity in confidence