New Business Manager - Mundell's, Welwyn Garden City, Hybrid - 37hpw
Up to £52,000 per annum (Depending on Experience)
Hybrid working | Car allowance | Private healthcare | Pension | Bonus Scheme
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
At HCL, we make a difference to thousands of children's lives every day. We cook delicious, nutritious meals so every child can have at least one meal a day. We run workshops that teach the next generation how to eat well and never settle for less.
We’re looking for a passionate New Business Manager who shares this mission – and can turn it into growth.
HCL is a leading school caterer transforming how children experience food. As our New Business Manager, you’ll drive our expansion across London and the South of England, building from our core base in Hertfordshire.
This is a high-impact role, central to our growth strategy. You’ll build winning propositions, represent HCL at key industry events, and manage the full new business cycle – from identifying opportunities and nurturing relationships to leading tenders and proposals.
Your impact: positioning HCL as the partner of choice for schools that want the best for their children – and proving we’re worth paying more for.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development & Growth
* Identify and pursue new business opportunities across primary, secondary, and academy schools.
* Develop regional sales plans aligned with growth targets.
* Manage a strong pipeline through prospecting, networking, and consultative selling.
* Represent HCL at trade events and education forums.
Bid Writing & Tender Management
* Lead the end-to-end tender process from assessment to submission.
* Prepare compelling, compliant, and commercially sound bids.
* Collaborate internally on mobilisation, pricing, and service models.
* Support creation of high-quality sales and marketing materials.
Relationship Management
* Build trusted relationships with school leaders, local authorities, and MATs.
* Conduct consultative meetings to tailor solutions to client needs.
* Deliver persuasive presentations and demonstrations.
Sector Engagement
* Stay up to date on school food standards, nutrition policies, food poverty, and sustainability.
* Contribute to menu development and pupil engagement initiatives.
* Promote healthy eating, inclusivity, and community impact.
KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Essential
* Proven track record in business development, sales, or account management – ideally within education or public sector catering.
* Experience managing complex sales processes and tenders.
* Strong bid writing, presentation, and negotiation skills.
* Financial literacy, including cost modelling and analysis.
* Confident communicator with a consultative approach.
* Knowledge of public sector procurement and compliance frameworks.
* Results-driven, with a strong ‘hunter’ mindset.
Desirable
* Experience in catering operations or service delivery.
* Understanding of school food standards and compliance.
* Familiarity with local authority or academy trust environments.
* Creative flair for engagement and marketing activities.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
* Passionate advocate for children’s nutrition and wellbeing.
* Strategic, commercially minded thinker.
* Organised, self-motivated, and resilient.
* Strong collaborator and team player.
* Authentic, values-driven, and community-minded.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & HEALTH AND SAFETY
HCL is committed to equality of opportunity in all activities and ensuring every individual is treated with dignity and respect. Every employee is responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others at work.