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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Own your territory, build relationships, and grow sales in the independent food sector.
- Company: Established UK food ingredients business with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, autonomy, and long-term progression opportunities.
- Other info: Home-based role with regional travel across North East or South UK.
- Why this job: Enjoy fieldwork, relationship-building, and making a real impact in your region.
- Qualifications: Experience in field sales or business development and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Two field-based sales roles covering North East UK and South UK. Home-based with regional travel. £30,000–£35,000 + benefits.
We are recruiting two Business Development Executives, one covering the North East and one covering the South of the UK. This is a hands-on, field-based opportunity offering real autonomy, clear territory ownership and the chance to build long-term customer relationships.
The Opportunities
- You will take ownership of sales growth across your own defined region, working directly with independent butchers, farm shops and rural producers.
- This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being out in the field, balancing new business with account management and becoming a trusted face in a close-knit customer base.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and grow a defined regional sales territory.
- Identify and convert new customers within the independent meat sector.
- Build long-term relationships through regular customer visits.
- Present, demonstrate and sample specialist ingredient products.
- Grow existing accounts through upselling and seasonal ranges.
- Act as a regional ambassador for the business.
About You
- Have experience in field sales or business development.
- Enjoy relationship-led, regional customer bases.
- Bring a commercial and organised approach to their territory.
- Are comfortable working independently and managing their own diary.
- Hold a full UK driving licence and are happy with regional travel.
Why This Role?
- Clear ownership of your own patch.
- Autonomy and trust in how you run your territory.
- Strong product range with genuine customer demand.
- Supportive culture with long-term progression opportunities.
Additional Info
- Location: North East UK or South UK.
- Salary: £30,000–£35,000.
- Travel: Regional field-based travel.
- Eligibility: Full UK driving licence and UK working rights required.
If you have experience selling into independent food businesses or a similar environment, I would be very interested in having a confidential conversation. Ready to take the next step? Send your CV to our People Consultant, Lisa Fox, and have a chat about your future. Applicants must be based in the UK with full working rights. Due to high application volumes, if you don’t hear from us within a week, unfortunately, your application hasn’t been successful this time.
Managing Director and Head of Business Development employer: The People Co
Contact Detail:
The People Co Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director and Head of Business Development
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend industry events, trade shows, or local meet-ups related to food ingredients. It's a great way to meet potential clients and showcase your personality—people love doing business with someone they know!
✨Tip Number 2
Leverage social media to connect with independent food businesses. Share relevant content, engage with their posts, and don’t be shy about reaching out directly. Building those relationships online can lead to real-life opportunities!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for face-to-face meetings by researching your prospects. Know their business, their challenges, and how your products can help them. This shows you care and are genuinely interested in their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after meetings! A quick email thanking them for their time and reiterating key points can keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows your commitment to building that long-term relationship.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director and Head of Business Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience in field sales and relationship-building, especially within the food sector. We want to see how you can own your territory and grow sales!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built long-term customer relationships and managed your own territory.
Showcase Your Autonomy: Since this role offers a lot of independence, make sure to mention any experiences where you've successfully managed your own schedule or territory. We love candidates who can take initiative and work independently!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at The People Co
✨Know Your Territory
Before the interview, make sure you research the specific region you'll be covering. Understand the local independent food businesses, their needs, and how your potential employer's products can meet those needs. This will show your interviewer that you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Build a Relationship Mindset
Since this role is all about relationship-building, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully developed long-term customer relationships. Be ready to discuss how you approach account management and upselling, as these are key aspects of the job.
✨Demonstrate Your Autonomy
This position offers a lot of independence, so be prepared to talk about how you manage your time and territory effectively. Share specific strategies you use to stay organised and ensure you’re meeting your sales targets while balancing new business development with existing accounts.
✨Showcase Your Passion for Food Ingredients
Since you'll be working with food ingredients, it’s important to convey your enthusiasm for the industry. Familiarise yourself with the product range and be ready to discuss how you can leverage your knowledge to present and demonstrate these products effectively to customers.