About Us:
We are an established wholesale distribution business supplying a wide range of products to businesses within the hospitality and food-service sector, including restaurants, takeaways, fast-food outlets, chicken shops, cafés and other independent food businesses.
As we continue to expand our customer base and develop our product range, we are looking for a Business Development & Marketing Manager to lead our business development, marketing and customer growth activities.
This is a strategic and hands-on management position with responsibility for identifying new business opportunities, developing commercial relationships, increasing sales, strengthening our market presence and delivering effective marketing strategies.
The Role:
The Business Development & Marketing Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing the company's business development and marketing strategy, with a particular focus on growing our customer base within the hospitality and food-service wholesale market.
The successful candidate will combine commercial management, market research, customer relationship development and marketing expertise to identify opportunities and convert them into sustainable business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the company's business development and marketing strategy in line with overall business objectives.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities within the hospitality, restaurant, takeaway, fast-food and food-service sectors.
- Research market trends, customer requirements, competitor activity, pricing and emerging opportunities within the wholesale food-service market.
- Analyse customer purchasing patterns, sales performance and market information to identify opportunities for growth.
- Develop strategies to increase customer acquisition, customer retention and sales across existing and new markets.
- Establish and maintain strong commercial relationships with restaurant owners, takeaway operators, hospitality businesses, purchasing managers and other key customers.
- Identify prospective customers and develop targeted business development campaigns to convert prospects into long-term customers.
- Prepare commercial proposals, presentations, pricing strategies and business development plans for prospective and existing customers.
- Negotiate commercial terms, supply arrangements and new business contracts within agreed company parameters.
- Work with senior management to establish sales targets, marketing objectives and business growth plans.
- Monitor sales performance against agreed targets and prepare regular management reports and recommendations.
- Develop and manage marketing campaigns to promote the company's products, services, brand and wholesale offering.
- Coordinate digital marketing, social media, email marketing, website content, promotional materials and other relevant marketing channels.
- Develop promotional campaigns and product-led marketing initiatives to increase customer engagement and sales.
- Work with suppliers and internal teams to support product launches, promotions and commercial campaigns.
- Monitor competitor activity, market pricing, customer feedback and changes in the hospitality and food-service market.
- Use market and customer information to make recommendations regarding product range, pricing, promotions and sales strategy.
- Develop customer segmentation and targeted marketing strategies for different categories of hospitality and food-service customers.
- Attend relevant trade events, industry meetings and customer meetings to promote the business and develop commercial relationships.
- Build and maintain a structured business development pipeline and monitor conversion rates and commercial opportunities.
- Produce regular reports covering sales performance, customer acquisition, marketing activity, market trends and future opportunities.
- Recommend improvements to the company's marketing and commercial strategy based on market research and performance data.
- Manage and coordinate external marketing suppliers, agencies or other service providers where required.
- Work closely with the sales, purchasing, warehouse and management teams to ensure marketing and commercial activities support operational objectives.
- Contribute to the development of new products, services and commercial propositions based on customer and market requirements.
- Ensure all marketing communications and promotional activity are commercially appropriate and consistent with the company's brand.
Business Development Responsibilities
A significant part of the role will involve developing new commercial opportunities and expanding the company's customer base.
The successful candidate will:
- Develop a structured business development plan for the hospitality and food-service wholesale market.
- Identify target customer groups and geographical markets for expansion.
- Generate and qualify new business leads.
- Develop relationships with prospective customers and understand their purchasing requirements.
- Prepare proposals and commercial presentations.
- Negotiate and secure new customer contracts and supply arrangements.
- Develop key-account relationships and identify opportunities for increased customer spend.
- Analyse customer and sales data to identify cross-selling and up-selling opportunities.
- Establish appropriate KPIs for customer acquisition, sales growth, conversion and retention.
- Report business development performance and recommendations to senior management.
Marketing Responsibilities
The role will also lead the company's marketing activities, including:
- Developing annual and quarterly marketing plans.
- Planning and managing promotional campaigns.
- Conducting market and competitor research.
- Developing customer-focused marketing materials.
- Managing digital marketing and social media activity.
- Coordinating website and online content.
- Supporting email and direct marketing campaigns.
- Developing product promotions and seasonal campaigns.
- Measuring campaign performance and return on marketing activity.
- Using customer feedback and market data to improve marketing strategies.
- Developing the company's presence within the hospitality and food-service wholesale sector.
Person Specification
Essential
- A Degree in relevant field (marketing and business management)
- Proven experience in a business development, commercial management, marketing management or similar senior commercial role.
- Strong commercial understanding and the ability to identify and convert new business opportunities.
- Experience conducting market research and analysing customer, sales and competitor information.
- Experience developing and maintaining B2B customer relationships.
- Experience preparing commercial proposals and negotiating business arrangements.
- Strong understanding of sales and marketing performance measurement and KPIs.
- Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and make commercially informed recommendations to senior management.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Good understanding of digital marketing and modern business development techniques.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Desirable
- Experience in wholesale distribution, food service, hospitality, FMCG or a related sector.
- Experience supplying restaurants, takeaways, fast-food businesses, chicken shops or independent hospitality businesses.
- Experience developing B2B sales and marketing strategies.
- Experience using CRM systems and sales/marketing analytics.
- Experience managing external marketing agencies or suppliers.
Key Performance Indicators
The successful candidate will be expected to establish and monitor measurable commercial and marketing objectives, including:
- New customer acquisition.
- Sales and revenue growth.
- Customer retention.
- Conversion of qualified business leads.
- Growth in average customer spend.
- Development of new market segments.
- Marketing campaign performance.
- Customer engagement and response rates.
- Return on marketing investment.
- Growth in the company's hospitality and food-service customer base.
Pay: £51,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
