You will manage opportunities from initial identification through to proposal, commercial negotiation and close, ensuring that new business delivers both sustainable revenue and appropriate margin.

A critical part of the role will be selling the whole-life proposition. You will understand that securing the equipment or project sale is only part of the opportunity and will be confident positioning the associated service and maintenance contract as an integral part of the customer solution.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and securing new customers across target markets and sectors.
• Building a strong, qualified and commercially valuable new-business pipeline.
• Proactively creating opportunities through research, networking, referrals, industry intelligence and direct customer engagement.
• Mapping target organisations and developing relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.
• Understanding customer requirements and translating them into compelling commercial solutions.
• Selling physical products/equipment alongside associated service and maintenance contracts.
• Identifying opportunities for multi-site, framework and longer-term agreements.
• Managing the complete sales cycle from initial contact and qualification through to negotiation and close.
• Supporting and leading bids, tenders and framework opportunities where appropriate.
• Developing commercially robust proposals that balance customer value with margin.
• Maintaining excellent CRM and pipeline discipline.
• Providing accurate forecasting and visibility of future revenue.
• Working cross-functionally with operational, project, technical and service teams to ensure solutions can be delivered effectively.
• Representing the organisation at relevant industry events, exhibitions and networking opportunities.
• Developing long-term customer partnerships capable of generating recurring revenue.

What we are looking for

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• A successful track record in Business Development or B2B new-business sales.
• Evidence of proactively originating and winning new customers rather than primarily managing inherited accounts.
• Experience selling a physical product, equipment or capital solution combined with an ongoing service or maintenance contract - essential.
• A strong understanding of recurring revenue and whole-life customer value.
• Consultative and solution-based sales experience.
• Experience managing potentially complex or multi-stakeholder B2B sales cycles.
• Strong pipeline development and opportunity qualification capability.
• Commercial confidence around pricing, margin and negotiation.
• Strong CRM and forecasting discipline.
• The credibility to engage stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Tenacity, curiosity and the ability to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

Direct commercial catering experience would be advantageous, but it is not essential where candidates bring the right product-plus-service commercial model.

The person

Degree educated with an impressive career trajectory

You will be naturally proactive, commercially ambitious and energised by winning new business.

You will know how to research a market, identify where the real opportunities sit and create a reason for a prospective customer to engage.

Equally, you will understand that good business development is not simply about winning revenue. You will be commercially disciplined, understand margin and delivery capability and recognise the importance of securing business that can develop into a profitable, long-term customer relationship.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished business developer to join an organisation with significant ambition and a proposition capable of delivering both initial and recurring revenues.

To apply please send your CV to sinead.farrell@hprtalent.com or call 0115 870 0115