Catering Account Manager in Northampton

We’re looking for a hands‑on, driven individual with a passion for food, service, and people. This role would suit someone from a catering, contract catering, or events background—whether that’s a Chef, Area Support Manager, or an experienced operator ready to step into a more commercial, client‑facing role.

If you’re someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, takes pride in delivering great service, and is motivated by making a real difference to customers and teams, this could be the perfect next step for you.

As a Catering Account Manager, you’ll play a key role in strengthening client relationships, supporting both existing and new business, and bringing our “Passion for Service” to life. The focus is on driving retention, supporting growth, and ensuring our offer remains relevant, engaging, and consistently delivered to a high standard.

The ideal candidate will be based in or around Northampton, with the ability to cover a territory spanning Northamptonshire and the M1 corridor across the Midlands and South of England, enabling effective customer engagement and regular on‑site presence. 4 days per week will be spent in the field with customers with 1 day working from home. Some overnight travel will be required. We are ideally looking for applicants located within 30 miles of Northampton for this position. Due to the nature of this role an Enhanced DBS will be required.

Responsibilities

• Meeting sales targets
• Growing business with existing customers
• Maintaining relationships with customers to ensure their continued satisfaction
• Being a genuine partner to your customers
• Launching new customers
• Training staff
• Improving the dining experience for pupils
• Sharing our expertise in food and nutrition
• Helping the nursery/school manage its food budget
• Working on business development opportunities
• Contributing to a positive team environment
• Working effectively alone and in a team

Retention

Retention is the key challenge of the CDM role. The targets set are to achieve 97% Account & Value retention on existing accounts.

Mobilisations

A key element of this role is to ensure that we mobilise our service excellently. This will involve introducing our system, training staff and ensuring that they are appropriately skilled to continue the service.

Business Development

To work closely with and support KAM’s to develop group opportunities for further business development. External relationships are obviously key to the success of this role, but CDM’s are required to work closely and collaborate with other divisions, to include Marketing, CS&D and Product development, Healthcare, LA and WFF.

The CDM would typically manage a portfolio of around 40 customers with a key focus on budget control, delivering training needs, product presentations and dispute resolution. The role will also be expected to promote apetito throughout the Education marketplace through extensive networking.

Qualifications/Personal Qualities

Essential skills & Experience:

• Field based account management experience
• Highly organised approach to time management
• Good commercial and analytical acumen
• Able to identify operational issues quickly and plan an effective solution
• A consultative approach to influence people and outcomes
• First rate communication, both written and verbal
• Confidence in leading meetings and presenting information
• Adaptable to relate and engage with staff at all levels including C‑suite
• Proven background in training
• Located within 30 miles of Northampton

Desirable:

• Experience of food/nutritional standards
• Experience in Catering industry
• Experience of the Education sector
• Good Networking experience
• Degree qualification
• Food Hygiene training
• Nutritional training (Dietician, Nutritionist, SALT etc.)

Personal Qualities

• Able to demonstrate gravitas and credibility with senior level stakeholders
• Resilient, tenacious and determined - persistent in pursuit of achievement
• Strong influencing, negotiating, listening and communicating skills
• Strong team working skills at all levels within an organisation, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in delivery
• Must display a passion for this role and the business that we operate

Due to the geography of this role and the nature of working with customers in school and nursery settings, flexibility with working hours will be needed. Travel to customers across the region and to national events, including overnight stays, will be a regular requirement - typically 1 night per week. A company car is provided to facilitate this and a clean (or virtually clean) driving licence is essential. As this role involves working in settings with children it will require an Enhanced DBS.

Company Benefits

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• Company car
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Generous annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 5%
• Life assurance scheme worth 2x annual salary
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

Our Values

As a family‑owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well‑being for all our customers. We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.