Business Development Manager – Food Ingredients

Salary – Highly competitive basic, £8,000 bonus, company car, pension & benefits

About the job

Classic Fine Foods UK | Business Development Manager | Food Processors

Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd is a purveyor and distributor of fine food from around the world – we source the highest quality products we can find, from truffles to caviar, foie gras to chocolate, plus many more delicacies. Through close partnerships with our suppliers, we deliver the highest quality of fresh, frozen products to the finest restaurants, hotels, food manufacturers and retailers in the UK.

Our Sales team are dedicated to developing opportunities and delivering quality – both in the representation of our brands and delivering the best service to our customers.

Following significant growth and investment, we have created a new position to help further develop our presence across the Food Manufacturing channel within the North of England (Lancashire, Yorkshire & Cumbria).

Role

As Business Development Manager for Food Processors, you will be focused on the manufacturing channel – working with some of the UK’s best chocolatiers, ice cream makers and bakers. This channel is nationwide and in great growth, therefore we are looking for someone to accelerate the expansion. This is an opportunity for a person who is talented and ambitious to successfully lead the company in its next growth phase. The correct candidate will have relevant commercial experience in this channel in the UK and be familiar with identifying consumer needs and opportunities in the ingredients landscape. An entrepreneurial approach with outstanding business acumen, bringing clarity and developing new business accounts throughout the North of England.

Key responsibilities

· Creation of a clear commercial strategy for the full channel, including existing portfolio and new business expectations

· Achieving targeted account opening and sales growth of high-end manufactures

· Building and strengthening commercial relationships within new/existing business opportunities

· Daily management of clients, handling all high-level customer queries and requests

· Leading the NPD requirements of the channel with the Purchasing team to ensure that client needs are met (within reason) and ensuring that the business is taking a large share of their basket

· Leading suggested pricing and volume agreements for the channel, ensuring that balance is kept between target margins and volume sales success

· Creation of commercial drives throughout the year on under-performing categories and commercial opportunities

· Consistent competitor mapping, ensuring that we remain competitive and understand our strengths and opportunities

· Successful development and launch of new products that achieve sustained sales after launch

· Working closely with the Purchasing Department to provide accurate sales forecasts

· Working closely with the Marketing Department to ensure you have all tools required to pitch prospects and creation of commercial drives

· Working closely with the Operations departments to ensure that all clients achieve agreed service levels – exceeding expectations and delivering on promises

· Reporting on account opening/sales performance against set targets

· Working with company category specialists to increase sales and uncover opportunities

· Representation of the company image, brand and service through visits, events and media

Requirements

· 3+ years’ experience in ingredients /food industry with a proven track record of achieving targets and driving sales growth in a business

· Ideally a food science, business or related degree

· Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills

· Excellent knowledge of key ‘pastry’ lines – chocolate, vanilla, flour, purees, technical ingredients etc

· Good project management and leadership skills

· Self-motivated and a good team player

· Result driven, eager to exceed customer satisfaction

· Excellent communication skills, particularly developed pitching and negotiation skills

· Creative initiative with a strength in problem solving

· Organised with a keen eye for detail

· Able to build strong relationships, both externally and internally

· Passion for high quality produce and cooking

This is a national role with an initial focus on the North of England. The ideal candidate will therefore have access our customers across Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Should you have experience as outline above, please contact Aidan at FMCG Selection on aidan@fmcgselection.co.uk