Catering Business Development Manager

Location: North Leeds

Reports to: Deputy CEO

Salary: £28,000 per annum pro rata to working hours (more for exceptional candidate)

Hours: 25 hours per week during office hours; this may include some evening and weekend work, with scope to develop into a full-time role as the business develops.

Permanent

About the company:

Our client is committed to creating positive social change through their catering services. The company specialise in providing high-quality, kosher food to support the local Jewish community, promoting social inclusion, and providing meaningful employment opportunities. As they grow, they are looking for a dynamic and experienced Catering Business Development Manager to help expand their catering operations and ensure that their mission and impact continue to flourish.

Why Work With Them?

• Be part of a passionate team committed to making a difference in the community through sustainable practices.
• Opportunity to drive growth in a purpose-driven organisation with strong values.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexible work environment and a supportive team culture.

Role Overview:

The Catering Business Development Manager will be responsible for driving business growth and expanding the reach of their catering services. These range from in-house sales, retail and corporate functions to community-based event catering. This unique role combines sales, marketing, and strategy skills to identify new opportunities, develop relationships with key clients, and increase revenue while maintaining the organisation's commitment to affordable and high-quality kosher food. You will play a critical role in aligning business development goals with their social enterprise values, ensuring sustainable growth and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Actively network within the community and relevant industry sectors to raise the profile of the catering service and generate new business leads.
• Identify and target new business opportunities, including corporate clients, community organisations, local events, and other potential revenue streams including retail growth.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with clients and partners, ensuring satisfaction and repeat business.
• Research market trends and customer needs to inform service offerings and create tailored proposals.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in business development, sales or account management, ideally in a catering, hospitality, or food service setting.
• A passion for making a positive impact in the community, with an understanding of the social enterprise model.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Professional, can do, customer-oriented approach.
• Strong network within the catering and events industry is highly desirable, as is an understanding of kashrut and the local Jewish community.
• Proficiency in EPOS systems (Square or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication, negotiation and follow-up skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet sales targets.
• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• A flexible, solutions-focused mindset with a commitment to customer service and quality.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or account management, ideally in the catering or hospitality sector.
• Knowledge of social enterprises or experience working in the nonprofit sector (desirable).

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you’re excited about the opportunity to join their team. The company is an equal-opportunity employer. They encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented communities. The role requires a standard DBS check as part of the recruitment process.