Business Development Manager - UK
Business Development Manager - UK

Business Development Manager - UK

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive Vilgain's growth in the UK by building B2B partnerships from scratch.
  • Company: Vilgain, a premium European nutrition brand focused on quality and taste.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Why this job: Lead a high-impact role with the chance to shape market strategy and make a real difference.
  • Qualifications: FMCG experience, strong UK market knowledge, and excellent communication skills.
  • Other info: Enjoy autonomy and fast decision-making in a dynamic, supportive environment.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Vilgain is a premium European nutrition brand built on a Quality First philosophy. We combine clean ingredients, uncompromising nutritional profiles, and great taste to create a strong, trusted lovebrand. Following our success in Central Europe, we are accelerating our international expansion and are now looking for a high-caliber Business Development Manager to drive our growth in the UK market. This is a high-impact, greenfield role.

You will build Vilgain’s UK B2B presence from scratch, shape the go-to-market strategy, and have clear potential to grow into a senior leadership role as the region scales.

Responsibilities

  • End-to-end market acquisition across key UK B2B channels: Retail, Distributors, E-commerce, and HORECA
  • Identification, negotiation, and closing of high-value commercial partnerships
  • Adaptation of the Vilgain value proposition to the UK market while protecting premium brand positioning
  • Acting as the main bridge between the UK market and global HQ, delivering data-driven insights on competitors, pricing, margins, and consumer trends
  • Full ownership of the commercial cycle from prospecting to contract signing, consistently delivering growth targets

Your Profile

  • Proven FMCG background, ideally within Food & Beverage
  • Strong understanding of the UK market, including commercial structures, negotiation dynamics, and buyer expectations
  • Existing network within UK retail, distribution, or foodservice is a strong advantage
  • Entrepreneurial, self-driven mindset with experience operating in a zero-to-one or scale-up environment
  • Excellent communication skills and professional fluency in English, with the confidence to negotiate at senior stakeholder level

What We Offer

  • Direct ownership of Vilgain’s UK market entry with visible business impact
  • Clean-label, high-quality product portfolio with strong differentiation and credibility
  • High autonomy, fast decision-making, and minimal bureaucracy, supported by a strong global B2B team
  • Competitive compensation package including performance-based bonus, development budget, and long-term growth opportunities
  • Ideally London-based, with flexibility depending on profile and market coverage

What to do now?

If you want to build something meaningful and lead Vilgain’s UK growth story from the ground up, we’d love to hear from you. Apply and let’s talk.

Business Development Manager - UK employer: Aktin

Vilgain is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity for a Business Development Manager to lead the charge in establishing our premium nutrition brand in the UK market. With a focus on autonomy and minimal bureaucracy, employees can expect a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and personal growth, alongside a competitive compensation package and the chance to make a significant impact from day one.
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Contact Detail:

Aktin Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - UK

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that dream role!

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand by sharing insights and knowledge related to business development and the UK market. Write articles or post updates on LinkedIn to demonstrate your understanding of the industry and attract attention from recruiters.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their value proposition and think about how you can adapt it to the UK market. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role, but also invested in the company’s success.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s build something great together!

We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - UK

Market Acquisition
B2B Sales
Negotiation Skills
Commercial Partnership Development
Go-to-Market Strategy
Data-Driven Insights
FMCG Experience
Understanding of UK Market
Networking within UK Retail
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Self-Driven
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Business Development Manager. Highlight your FMCG experience and any relevant achievements in the UK market. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about Vilgain and how your entrepreneurial mindset aligns with our growth ambitions. Let us know what excites you about building our B2B presence in the UK.

Showcase Your Network: If you've got connections in UK retail, distribution, or foodservice, don’t be shy about it! Mentioning your existing network can give us confidence in your ability to hit the ground running and make impactful partnerships.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

How to prepare for a job interview at Aktin

✨Know Your Market

Before the interview, dive deep into the UK market landscape. Understand the key players in retail, distribution, and e-commerce. Familiarise yourself with current trends and consumer preferences in the food and beverage sector. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.

✨Showcase Your Network

If you have existing connections within the UK retail or foodservice sectors, be sure to highlight them during your interview. Discuss how these relationships can benefit Vilgain's market entry strategy. A strong network can be a game-changer, so don’t shy away from mentioning it!

✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios

Given the role's focus on negotiation and closing partnerships, prepare for potential negotiation scenarios. Think about how you would approach discussions with different stakeholders. Practising your negotiation tactics can give you the confidence to articulate your strategies effectively during the interview.

✨Align with Vilgain’s Values

Vilgain prides itself on a Quality First philosophy. Make sure you understand their brand values and be ready to discuss how you can adapt their value proposition to the UK market while maintaining their premium positioning. Showing alignment with their mission will set you apart as a candidate who truly understands the brand.

Business Development Manager - UK
Aktin

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