Business Development Manager
**NO AGENCIES**
Salary: From £35,000 per year + Performance Bonus (depending on experience)
About Us
Target Catering Equipment designs, manufactures and installs bespoke commercial kitchen solutions for hospitality businesses throughout the UK.
We're looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Business Development Manager to help drive the next stage of our growth.
This is not a transactional sales role. We are looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, understands consultative selling and takes pride in finding the right solution for every customer.
You'll be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, nurturing existing accounts, developing sales strategies and managing opportunities from first enquiry through to project completion.
Success in this role comes from making the right sale, not simply making a sale.
The Role
As Business Development Manager you will be responsible for growing the business by identifying opportunities, developing relationships and converting quality enquiries into profitable projects.
You will work closely with our design, estimating and project teams to ensure customers receive expert advice and a first-class experience throughout their journey.
This role requires someone who is highly self-motivated, commercially aware and comfortable working independently whilst taking ownership of their own performance.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development
- Proactively identify and generate new business opportunities across the hospitality sector.
- Develop strategic relationships with consultants, contractors, architects, chefs, operators and end users.
- Build and manage a healthy sales pipeline through networking, referrals, outbound activity and existing customer relationships.
- Identify target markets and key accounts that align with the company's growth strategy.
- Develop account plans to maximise long-term customer value.
Sales Strategy
- Qualify enquiries to ensure opportunities are commercially viable.
- Focus on solution selling rather than price selling.
- Understand customers' operational challenges before recommending equipment or services.
- Develop strategies to improve conversion rates and increase average order values.
- Work with management to identify emerging markets, products and opportunities.
- Analyse lost opportunities and recommend improvements to increase future success.
- Help shape sales processes and continuously improve the customer journey.
Sales Management
- Manage enquiries from first contact through to quotation, negotiation and order.
- Follow up quotations consistently and professionally.
- Maintain accurate CRM records and pipeline forecasting.
- Work towards agreed sales and gross profit targets.
- Identify opportunities for servicing, preventative maintenance, accessories and future projects.
- Maintain regular contact with existing customers to encourage repeat business.
Customer Relationships
- Deliver an outstanding customer experience throughout every stage of the sales process.
- Build trusted relationships based on honesty, professionalism and expertise.
- Host customer visits, equipment demonstrations and supplier presentations.
- Organise product trials and training where appropriate.
- Represent Target professionally at exhibitions, networking events and industry meetings.
Team Collaboration
- Work closely with Design, Engineering, Production and Project Management teams.
- Share market intelligence and customer feedback.
- Support marketing campaigns with customer insights and lead generation ideas.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience within business development, consultative sales or account management.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Commercially minded with strong business awareness.
- Confident negotiating and influencing decision-makers.
- Highly organised with excellent time management.
- Comfortable managing multiple opportunities simultaneously.
- Strong IT skills including CRM systems.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Experience
- Hospitality, catering equipment, foodservice or commercial kitchen industry experience.
- Experience selling capital equipment or technical solutions.
- Understanding of construction or project-based sales.
- Experience developing sales strategies and account plans.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who:
- Is genuinely self-sufficient and takes ownership of their workload.
- Doesn't wait to be told what to do—they identify opportunities and make things happen.
- Has resilience and thick skin, understanding that rejection is part of winning new business.
- Thinks strategically rather than simply chasing the next order.
- Understands that protecting the company's reputation is more important than making a quick sale.
- Has the confidence to challenge customers where necessary and recommend the right solution, even if it isn't the most expensive.
- Builds trust through honesty, expertise and consistency.
- Enjoys creating lasting customer relationships rather than one-off transactions.
- Takes accountability for results and continually looks for ways to improve.
- Thrives in a growing business where no two days are the same.
- Wants to become a key part of the company's future growth.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12 months you will:
- Build and manage a healthy pipeline of qualified opportunities.
- Increase repeat business from existing customers.
- Develop new strategic customer relationships.
- Improve quotation conversion rates.
- Generate profitable sales while maintaining excellent customer satisfaction.
- Contribute ideas that improve our sales process and customer journey.
- Become a trusted adviser to customers rather than simply another salesperson.
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary from £35k depending on experience.
- Quarterly performance bonus.
- Company pension.
- Free on-site parking.
- Ongoing product and industry training.
- Opportunity to help shape the future direction of a growing manufacturing business.
Pay: From £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- B2B sales: 5 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
