At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect with independent chefs and food producers to grow our marketplace.
- Company: Cotta, an elevated food marketplace in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commission, and a flexible 4-day work week.
- Other info: Join a small team with great growth potential and direct access to decision-makers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while building valuable relationships.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in sales, strong communication skills, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
ABOUT COTTA
Cotta is an elevated food marketplace connecting food lovers with independent chefs, artisan makers and producers across London. Think Borough Market, on your doorstep. We are not a delivery app. We are a curated destination where every partner is chosen for their craft, their quality, and the story behind what they make. Our partners are professional and private chefs, artisan bakers and fermenters, specialty food producers and small-scale growers. They are serious about what they do. So are we. We launched in Chelsea and South Kensington in summer 2026 and are now expanding into Mayfair and Pimlico. The team is small, the work is real, and what you build here will be visible.
THE ROLE
We are looking for a Sales Associate to grow the supply side of the Cotta marketplace. That means identifying the right partners, reaching out to them, running discovery conversations, and bringing them through to a signed agreement and a live shop. This is a prospecting and relationship role. You will be working from a pipeline, not inheriting one. You will be supported by a clear curation standard, a close working relationship with the CCO, and a Partner Concierge who takes the relationship from you once a partner is onboarded and trading. Your job is to get them to that point. Success in this role is not measured by the number of partners signed. It is measured by the quality of partners activated and the strength of the marketplace they collectively create. You are being asked to hold a standard, not to fill a pipeline. If you are organised, genuinely interested in food, good with people, and energised by building something real, this role offers direct commercial impact and a short line to senior decision-making from day one.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Outbound prospecting
- Research and identify prospective partners: professional and private chefs, artisan makers, specialty food producers and growers who meet Cotta's curation standard
- Build and work an outbound outreach list via LinkedIn, Instagram, food industry networks, and personal presence at food markets and events
- Be physically present at London food markets, pop-ups and producer fairs on a regular cadence. This is a core sourcing method, not an occasional add-on
- Write and send personalised outreach that reflects Cotta's tone and represents the brand well
Inbound qualification
- Manage and respond to inbound partner enquiries
- Qualify prospects against Cotta's curation rubric (product quality, story authenticity, visual potential, operational reliability, brand fit)
- Be the first honest conversation a prospective partner has with Cotta
Discovery and pitch
- Run discovery calls with prospective partners to understand their business, product range, and capacity
- Present Cotta's platform, commercial model, and partner proposition clearly
- Handle objections honestly
Pipeline management and handover
- Keep HubSpot up to date: lead scoring, deal stages, interaction logs, and next steps
- Produce a weekly pipeline report for the CCO
- Complete a visual standards assessment before every partner handoff to Partner Concierge: profile image, gallery images, product photography, and shop description must meet Cotta's standards before handoff documentation is submitted.
- Coordinate the onboarding handover to Partner Concierge once a partner agreement is signed and portal setup begins
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- 3–5 years of experience in a sales, business development, or account management role
- Confident making outbound contact: you can write a good cold email and hold a good first call
- Organised and self-directed: you manage your own pipeline without being chased
- Comfortable with CRM tools (HubSpot or similar)
- Genuine interest in food: you care about quality, provenance, and craft
- Clear communicator, in writing and in person
- London-based and happy to be in the field and at markets
- Experience in a marketplace, platform, or two-sided business
- Background in food, hospitality, catering, or specialty FMCG
- Familiarity with the London independent food scene
- HubSpot experience specifically
We are not looking for someone who has managed a sales team, built a commercial strategy, or run a full sales function. This is an execution role at a growing company, but with potential for individual growth and progression.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Salary and commission (4 days/week)
- Base salary: £35,000 to 40,000 (FTE-equivalent c.£43,750 to 50,000)
- Commission on signed and activated partners
- OTE: £45,000 to £50,000 at target (FTE-equivalent c.£56,250 to £62,500)
- Working life 4 days/week, non-working day to be agreed
- Small team with short decision-making chains
- Pension
Growth
Cotta is expanding. The Commercial team will grow with it. This role is the ground floor of a sales function, not a ceiling.
*** Please note that Cotta is unable to sponsor any visa applications. ***
Sales Associate (4 days/week) employer: Cotta
Cotta is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture centred around passion for food and quality craftsmanship. With a small, dedicated team based in London, employees enjoy the benefits of a flexible 4-day work week, competitive salary with commission opportunities, and direct involvement in shaping the marketplace. As the company expands, there are ample growth opportunities for individuals looking to make a meaningful impact in the food industry.
