Business Development Manager (Food)

Posted 06 March 2026
Salary fantastic benefits package, company car
LocationNewry
Job type Permanent
Discipline Sales & Marketing
ReferenceCG4778577833_1772785310

Job description

VANRATH are partnering with a well-established wholesale and food distribution business to recruit a Business Development Manager to join their Northern Ireland sales team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated field sales professional to take ownership of a defined territory and play a key role in driving commercial growth across the foodservice sector.

The successful candidate will focus on winning new customers while strengthening relationships with existing accounts, helping to expand the organisation's footprint across hospitality, catering and foodservice operators.


The Role

Reporting to the Regional Sales Manager, the Business Development Manager will be responsible for the performance and development of a designated sales territory.

Key duties will include:

  • Delivering against agreed sales and margin targets across the territory

  • Identifying and securing new foodservice customers through proactive prospecting and relationship building

  • Developing existing customer accounts by increasing product penetration across multiple product categories

  • Targeting competitor accounts to grow market share and expand the customer base

  • Managing customer accounts to ensure adherence to agreed payment terms

  • Planning and managing territory call schedules to maximise customer engagement

  • Maintaining strong working relationships with customers through regular visits and consistent communication

  • Providing insights on market activity, competitor trends and customer feedback

  • Completing required reporting including sales updates, account activity reports and territory plans

  • Supporting wider sales initiatives and promotional campaigns when required


The Person

The ideal candidate will bring:

  • 3+ years' experience in field-based sales, ideally within foodservice, FMCG or wholesale distribution

  • A strong record of delivering against sales targets and KPIs

  • Excellent relationship management and communication skills

  • The ability to work independently while managing a geographical sales territory

  • Competency with MS Office and sales reporting tools

  • Full clean driving licence

  • Minimum 5 GCSEs (or equivalent)

Desirable:

  • Understanding of the hospitality or catering supply sector

  • Experience selling products across multiple temperature-controlled categories


What's on Offer

  • Competitive salary package

  • Bonus / incentive structure

  • Company vehicle or car allowance

  • Opportunity to join a growing and reputable organisation within the food distribution sector

  • Long-term career development within a large commercial operation

  • Supportive and collaborative team culture