Business Development Executive

37.5 hours per week, any 5 in 6 days (Monday-Saturday). 

This is an exciting new position which will focus on growing our business through raising brand awareness and encouraging recommendations.

You will build connections with local Healthcare Professionals, GP surgeries, charities, and community groups engaged in supporting the needs of the elderly in the community.  

You will report into the Retail Sales and Operations Manager and collaborate with our Wiltshire Farm Foods Professional division to devise and implement a plan to deliver 5% order and unit growth.  

Your territory will mainly cover North Kent: Redhill at the edge of the Surrey border and Tunbridge Wells, through to our Whitstable depot in East Kent, and you will be responsible for managing your time and diary across the areas.

A proven track record of building and maintain relationships is key as your primary responsibility will be to develop relationships with new and existing customers.

These relationships will enable you to raise awareness and educate others on the Wiltshire Farm Foods solution, ultimately promoting business growth.

We are looking for someone with exceptional customer service and communication skills, with the enthusiasm to get out in the community. 

There is no typical week as a Business Development Executive which keeps the role exciting and varied, however the expectation is that the successful candidate would be out in the community 4 days a week.

The remaining working day is likely to be based at the local depot completing admin tasks, researching prospects, confirming appointments and cold-calling local prospects. 

Wiltshire Farm Foods, part of the apetito group, is the UK’s largest ready-meal supplier, cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK primarily to the elderly, their family members and healthcare professionals.

We're dedicated to making a real difference to our customers' lives, by bringing sunshine to their doors through our commitment to provide good old-fashioned service.

Our intense pride drives us to continuously innovate and improve, ensuring our products and service exceed our customers' needs.

This is all whilst being an ethical and sustainable organisation that believes in doing the right thing.

• Driving the overall local marketing programme
• Building relationships and networking with Healthcare Professionals, local community groups, sheltered housing associations.
• Develop new business through these key influencers, creating relationships where they unequivocally recommend Wiltshire Farm Foods 
• To plan and carry out tasting demonstrations to promote the benefits of the food and increase overall brand awareness – locations such as hospitals, care homes, day centers, sheltered housing accommodation etc.
• To work closely with colleagues from the other in-house depots and Head Office team to develop and field test new initiatives.
• To develop relationships with Business Development Managers from other depots to ensure sharing of best practice.
• To undertake relevant administrative tasking in line with business systems.

Essential: 

• In-person sales experience
• Proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with customers or developing a portfolio of clients
• A natural ability to influence and persuade 
• Experience of making outbound calls 
• GCSE English and Math’s (or equivalent etc)
• Strong presentation skills
• Time management, planning and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Full, clean driving licence and own transport

Desirable: 

• Business-to-business sales experience
• Knowledge or experience of marketing
• Knowledge of Dynamics Navision
• Experience within a care based role or the healthcare sector
• Vocational sales/and marketing qualification

Personal Qualities: 

• Personable and engaging
• Self-starter with a can-do attitude, proactive and positive outlook, and willing to experiment with new ideas
• Shows passion, drive and ambition to deliver outstanding execution in key projects
• Acts as an ambassador for Wiltshire Farm Foods, building effective working relationships and networks

 Please note that a satisfactory basic DBS check is required for this role. 

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• 33 days holiday per year, including bank holidays (which are considered a normal working day)
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

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.
Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

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.