Business Development and Account Manager

Seize the opportunity to join this fast-growing, innovative food business with an established presence in the market, in this newly created role.

As part of its continued expansion, the business is looking to appoint an ambitious and commercially driven Business Development and Account Manager to strengthen its position within the food service sector. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing existing customer relationships, growing sales across the company's product portfolio and identifying new business opportunities.

The role will suit an entrepreneurial sales professional who enjoys building relationships, spotting commercial opportunities and taking ownership of the sales process. There will also be scope to develop opportunities across additional market sectors and introduce customers to a broader range of products.

Working in a friendly, open plan office, you will be someone who works collaboratively with others and takes pride in what they do, whilst being able to have fun too!

• Identify and research prospective customers within target food service and other relevant market sectors.
• Develop new business opportunities in line with the company's commercial strategy and current campaigns.
• Follow up leads generated through networking, exhibitions, marketing activity and other sources.
• Arrange customer meetings, presentations and visits as appropriate.
• Develop tailored quotations and commercial proposals to meet customer requirements.
• Manage opportunities through the full sales cycle, from initial enquiry through pricing, sampling and specification to product launch.
• Maintain an accurate pipeline of new business opportunities and provide regular updates on progress.
• Attend appropriate exhibitions, networking events and industry functions to raise the profile of the business and generate new leads.

• Manage and develop relationships with existing customers, with a strong focus on increasing sales and overall account value.
• Identify opportunities to introduce additional products and categories across the wider portfolio.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders across customer organisations, including Purchasing, Buying, Supply Chain and NPD teams.
• Develop a detailed understanding of customer requirements and identify opportunities for further commercial growth.
• Take ownership of agreed accounts and work towards defined sales and income targets.
• Monitor customer performance and identify opportunities, risks and areas requiring further attention.
• Conduct customer meetings and visits to strengthen relationships and develop new opportunities.
• Ensure actions arising from customer meetings are recorded, communicated and followed through.

• Prepare pricing and quotations for both individual customer enquiries and larger annual supply tenders.
• Manage the progress of quotations, samples and specifications, ensuring opportunities continue to move forward.
• Maintain accurate records of tender activity and monitor upcoming opportunities throughout the year.
• Track customer contract performance and identify product lines or accounts performing ahead of or below expectations.
• Work with the wider commercial team to agree appropriate actions where sales or contract utilisation is not in line with expectations.
• Develop an awareness of supply chain costs and their impact on account profitability and the wider P&L.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and support profitable growth.
• Work closely with the NPD team to coordinate customer samples and monitor product development projects.
• Maintain accurate records of active sample and development projects.
• Communicate with customers regarding ongoing, delayed or paused projects and identify opportunities to reactivate suitable projects.
• Develop effective working relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Attend regular meetings with key supply partners, including the company's principal manufacturing sites in Europe.
• Maintain an understanding of supplier capabilities, pricing, product availability and upcoming developments.
• Keep the wider business informed of product launches, delisting's, contract updates and other relevant supplier activity.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer contact information, including commercial, NPD and technical contacts.
• Ensure relevant customer intelligence is shared with colleagues across the business.
• Support targeted customer…