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- Tasks: Drive new business growth in the foodservice industry and build strong customer relationships.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider with a family-oriented culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, bonuses, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in the community and foodservice sector.
- Qualifications: 2 years of sales experience, strong communication skills, and a full UK/EU driving licence.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with excellent career growth and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,500 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024. We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live.
Henderson Food Service is the leading supplier to the food service industry in Ireland. We source and supply a range of thousands of products to customers including hotels, restaurants, and public sector organisations such as hospitals and offices. Following another year of record growth, our team continues to exceed targets and deliver sales across N.I. and R.O.I. Our team will offer you a positive and supportive environment to enjoy success within our market leading brand. We achieved Gold accreditation against the Investors in People standard framework in 2020 in recognition of people management excellence and our commitment to investment in people.
The Purpose of the role: Due to continued growth, Henderson Foodservice is expanding its team and seeking a Business Development Executive (BDE) to drive new business. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving continued business growth. We're looking for someone who is excited about food, competitive and target driven, and is eager to grow their career in a dynamic and supportive environment. The successful candidate will focus on New Business, expanding our customer base in key sectors and identifying new opportunities. The role requires a deep understanding of market trends, customer needs and determination to meet KPI's and achieve targets.
Working as Business Development Executive you will:
- Focus on developing New Business opportunities.
- Achieve sales and margin targets within designated territory focusing particularly on new business opportunities.
- Contribute to the strategic sales plan to grow sales across categories, sectors and customers.
- Collaborate with Trading & Replenishment on category range, product sourcing, pricing, stock holding, and market trends.
- Develop strong relationships with key decision makers.
- Carry out regular business reviews and prepare focused development plans for customers.
- Forecast accurately to the re-order team volume requirements for specific customers and/or new product requests.
- Analyse sales and margin performance, recommending actions by category, customer, sector, and territory.
Skills for Success Joining us as Business Development Executive the minimum criteria you'll need is:
- Minimum of 2 years target driven relevant sales experience.
- Experience of winning new business.
- Ability to understand and adapt to customer needs and working patterns.
- Proven commercial awareness and business acumen.
- Excellent IT Skills particularly with MS Office packages.
- Full UK/EU Driving License.
The Attributes you'll need include:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to overcome business challenges.
- Proven negotiation abilities.
- Strong customer focus with the ability to motivate and inspire others to deliver the highest levels of customer service.
- Ability to work within a team as well as working independently.
It is Desirable if you have:
- Business related third level qualification.
- Field Sales experience in Foodservice or FMCG.
- Product knowledge within a Foodservice business.
- Market knowledge of Foodservice sector within NI/ROI.
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by:
- Ambition: We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
- Customer First: We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
- Teamwork: We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
- Integrity: We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The Reward: The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners. You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success.
Benefits include market competitive salary, company car, bonus, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Reward Gateway Employee Recognition & Discount Scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more. This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer. Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Sunday 26th April 2026. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Business Development Executive NI - Sales Foodservice in Newtownabbey employer: Henderson Group
Contact Detail:
Henderson Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Executive NI - Sales Foodservice in Newtownabbey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the foodservice industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Henderson Group thoroughly. Understand their values, products, and recent achievements. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show how you fit into their culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your previous sales successes and how you can drive new business for Henderson Foodservice. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements – this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Executive NI - Sales Foodservice in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Mention any relevant experiences or interests that connect you to the foodservice industry. We want to see that you're excited about what we do!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your sales experience and how it aligns with our goals at Henderson Group. We appreciate candidates who take the time to show us why they're a great fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We value good communication skills, so make sure your written application reflects that!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at Henderson Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Henderson Group's values and mission. Understand their role in the foodservice industry and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows genuine interest and preparation.
✨Showcase Your Sales Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully driven new business in the past. Use metrics to highlight your achievements, like sales growth percentages or new accounts won. This will demonstrate your target-driven mindset.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their team dynamics and how they support each other. This reflects your teamwork skills and shows you value collaboration.
✨Be Ready for Role-Play
Expect some role-play scenarios where you might need to negotiate or pitch a product. Practise these skills beforehand so you can showcase your negotiation abilities and customer focus effectively during the interview.