Business Development Manager

We have an exciting opportunity to become our new Business Development Manager. This is a permanent position based around 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. You'll be home based but will travel nationally to develop business opportunities across the UK. This package includes a salary of 50-60k per year and a company car/car allowance plus expenses. Great food opens doors. Great relationships create opportunities. Wilson Vale is growing, and we're looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Business Development Manager to play a key role in the next stage of our journey. This isn't about chasing every tender that appears in the market. It's about finding the right opportunities, building great relationships and bringing together the food, people, ideas and commercial thinking that make Wilson Vale different. You'll have the freedom to develop opportunities nationally and manage the journey from first conversation through to presentation and contract award. Why Wilson Vale? We believe contract catering should feel personal. Our chefs cook fresh food on site. Our teams know their customers. Our leaders are visible and accessible. And we build partnerships with organisations where we know our approach can genuinely make a difference. Food that connects people. It's more than a strapline. It reflects how we think about food, hospitality and the relationships we build with our clients. Today, we create restaurant-quality food and hospitality experiences across workplaces, independent schools, higher education, conference venues and distinctive locations throughout the UK. We're ambitious about our future - and we're looking for someone who wants to help shape it. The Opportunity As our Business Development Manager, you'll work closely with the Business Development Director and our operational, food development, finance and marketing teams to identify, develop and convert high-quality new business opportunities across the UK. You'll own opportunities from initial engagement through qualification, solution development, tender, presentation and contract award. Every opportunity will be different, and you'll have the freedom to help shape the solution rather than simply sell something that's already been created. What You'll Be Doing

• Identify and develop new business opportunities nationally across all Wilson Vale sectors.
• Build relationships with prospective clients, consultants and key industry influencers.
• Generate opportunities through networking, referrals, market intelligence and proactive prospecting.
• Understand prospective clients, their culture, challenges and ambitions.
• Manage the end-to-end sales journey from first introduction to contract award.
• Lead RFIs, PQQs, tenders and formal bid submissions.
• Develop compelling proposals and presentations that bring the Wilson Vale story to life.
• Work alongside our chefs, Operations and Finance teams to create exciting and commercially sustainable solutions.
• Lead client presentations, food showcases and commercial conversations.
• Represent Wilson Vale at industry events and networking opportunities.
• Maintain a strong, accurate and forward-looking sales pipeline.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and emerging opportunities. What We're Looking For You'll be a confident relationship builder who combines commercial thinking with genuine curiosity about clients and their businesses. You'll ideally bring:
• A successful track record in business development.
• Experience within contract catering, foodservice, hospitality or a related sector.
• Experience managing opportunities through the complete sales cycle.
• A strong understanding of bids, tenders and procurement.
• Commercial confidence and financial awareness.
• Excellent written, communication and presentation skills.
• Confidence engaging with senior decision-makers.
• Strong organisation and pipeline management..
• A genuine passion for food and hospitality.
• Flexibility to travel nationally when required. Why This Role Is Different You'll be joining Wilson Vale at an exciting point in our growth. You'll have genuine autonomy, direct access to senior leaders and the opportunity to influence how we approach markets, develop solutions and win new partnerships. You'll also have an experienced team behind you - chefs, operators, finance, marketing and senior leadership because at Wilson Vale, business development is a team effort. We're interested in quality growth, not growth at any cost. Wilson Vale Food that connects people Wilson Vale Perks
• Our working hours are some of the best you'll find in catering - we are strong believers in work-life balance
• Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities
• Craft Works - Free craft-focused career development training programme
• Paid training bespoke to you
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme- your wellbeing is very important to us
• Online employee benefits scheme - monetary savings on everyday items!
• Your Birthday off every year after 1 years' service.
• Enhanced Maternity Pay