The Dalesman Group was established in 1979 and supplies seasonings, fine food ingredients, culinary and functional blends to the food industry. Our reputation for creating gourmet and bespoke flavours excels and our success continues with award winning taste sensations.
We are currently looking for a Business Development Executive to promote our amazing range of products with vibrant, modern and relevant digital and traditional marketing content throughout the region of Scotland. If you would like to join a fast paced and forward-thinking family run business and have a passion for marketing, this could be the job for you!
Main Responsibilities:
· Prospecting & Lead Generation:
Identify and research prospective new customers within the independent meat processing sector, including butchers, farm shops, and rural producers. Actively seek new business opportunities through various methods.
· Qualification & Engagement:
Qualify leads based on customer size, potential spend and fit with Dalesman’s product offering. Initiate contact and engage prospective customers through tailored conversations.
· Product Presentation & Demonstration:
Promote and present The Dalesman Group’s range of seasonings, coatings, mixes in a clear and compelling manner. Provide product samples and usage suggestions.
· Conversion & Account Opening:
Convert qualified leads into active customers by building trust, demonstrating value, and negotiating terms within pricing guidelines. Ensure smooth onboarding with support from internal teams.
· Account Management & Retention:
Maintain and grow relationships with existing customers through regular visits, responsive service, and proactive support. Monitor customer satisfaction and identify opportunities for repeat or increased orders.
· Sales Growth & Upselling:
Maximise customer value by introducing new products and seasonal ranges that suit their business model. Encourage deeper engagement with The Dalesman Group’s wider portfolio. Review own sales performance and participate in quarterly commercial meetings with the Group Head of Commercial Operations.
· Daily Structure & Time Discipline:
Field-based working hours typically begin by 08:30 and conclude no earlier than 17:00, unless otherwise agreed
· Territory Planning & Visit Management:
Establish structured visit schedules to ensure thorough coverage and ongoing development of all accounts. Review territory plans on a monthly basis.
· Minimum Activity Standards:
Maintain a minimum of 70 customer visits per week, as well as maintaining activity on sample requests and follow-ups and onboarding new accounts. Top 20 accounts must be visited within the first 12 weeks of post and reviewed quarterly.
· EON & Reporting:Record all customer interactions, prospects and pipeline activity in EON (internal database). Submit visit reports on the same day and maintain accurate sales pipeline visibility.
· Market & Competitor Awareness:
Gather and share insights on market trends, competitor offerings, and customer feedback to inform internal planning and product development
While the Business Development Executive’s focus is regional, the role contributes to the wider success of The Dalesman Group through the following responsibilities:
· Brand Representation:
Act as an ambassador for The Dalesman Group across all customer and industry interactions. Attend trade exhibitions and sponsorship events as required.
· Cross-Team Collaboration:
Work collaboratively with internal departments including sales office, marketing, technical, and production to ensure customers receive a consistent and coordinated experience across the Group.
· Best Practice Sharing:
Share successful sales techniques, customer feedback, and market insights with colleagues to support collective growth and continuous improvement across sales teams.
· Product Launch Support:
Actively support group-wide product launches, campaigns, and initiatives by providing market-level insight, engaging customers, and gathering early-stage feedback.
· Participation in Group Training & Events:
Attend all internal sales meetings, training sessions, and exhibitions. Quarterly travel to Bradford but may be more frequent if required.
· Compliance & Reporting Standards:
Uphold group-wide standards for EON use, sales reporting, and compliance to ensure data consistency and strategic visibility across the business. Be aware of the company’s terms of trading, and ensure hat all customers are also aware, and that they keep to these same terms. Employees must disclose any external business interests that may conflict with their role.
As part of The Dalesman Group’s commitment to a fully integrated customer experience, the Business Development Executive will work closely with a range of internal departments to ensure the delivery of outstanding service and commercial value. Key areas of collaboration include:
· Sales Office:
Liaise regularly to ensure prompt processing of orders, issue resolution, and clear communication with customers. Work together to maintain a high standard of responsiveness and professionalism. Ensure a cycle-of-calling plan is in existence for the area, and is being worked in a systematic manner, with regular reviews.
· Technical & Product Development:
Collaborate with technical colleagues to provide customers with accurate product information, usage advice, and tailored recommendations. Share feedback from the field to influence product innovation and improvement.
· Marketing:
Support the implementation of local marketing initiatives, promotions, and seasonal campaigns. Provide feedback on the effectiveness of collateral and help shape future marketing efforts based on customer engagement.
· Operations & Supply Chain:
Communicate forecasted demand and customer expectations to ensure timely delivery and product availability. Help manage customer expectations around lead times and logistics.
· Finance & credit control:
Coordinate with the Group Credit Controller to assist in managing customer accounts, resolving payment queries, and ensuring compliance with credit terms.
Skills and Experience Required:
Essential:
- UK driving licence
- GCSE’s (or equivalent) in English and Maths
- Proven experience in field sales or business development, ideally within food, ingredients, or FMCG sectors
- Demonstrated success in lead generation, account conversion, and territory management
- Understanding of sales processes and customer engagement strategies
- Familiarity with UK geography and regional business dynamics
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Ability to work independently and manage a field-based schedule
- Competence in Microsoft Office and digital reporting tools
- Self-motivating & proactive
- High integrity and professionalism
Desirable:
- Degree or equivalent in Business, Sales, Food Science or related field
- Experience working with independent butchers, farm shops, or rural producers
- Experience using CRM systems for pipeline and customer management
- Experience presenting at trade shows or industry events
- Awareness of food safety standards (e.g. BRC, HACCP)
- Ability to deliver product demonstrations and technical advice
- Analytical skills to interpret sales data and customer needs
Pay: £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company car
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: On the road
