Business Development Executive – Fresh & Premium Foods
Attractive Salary, Benefits, Company Car & Bonus
36.5 Hour week (flexibility required)
Field Based
Who are we?
At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property.
We employ over 5,500 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024.
We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live. Our leaders care about employees and our employees succeed together and celebrate the success of others. We are interested in your aspirations, interests and skills and we strive to support and inspire you to do well.
A look into the role
Henderson Food Service is the leading supplier to the food service industry in Ireland. We source and supply a range of thousands of products to customers including hotels, restaurants, and public sector organisations such as hospitals and offices.
Following another year of record growth, our team continue to exceed targets and deliver sales across N.I. and R.O.I Our team will offer you a positive and supportive environment to enjoy success within our market leading brand.
We achieved Gold accreditation against the Investors in People standard framework in 2020 in recognition of people management excellence and our commitment to investment in people.
The Purpose of the role:
Due to continued growth, Henderson Foodservice is expanding its team and seeking a passionate Business Development Executive (BDE) specialising in fresh food categories.
We’re looking for someone who is excited about food, values high-quality local meat and produce, and is eager to grow their career in a dynamic and supportive environment. This role is ideal for a sales professional with a keen interest in fresh food or a chef looking to transition into a commercial role.
The successful candidate will play a key role in driving business growth by supporting and training the foodservice sales team, while using a consultative sales approach to engage with customers. They will focus on driving revenue, margin, and market share growth in emerging fresh and premium categories, expanding our customer base in key sectors like hotels, restaurants, and bars across Ireland, and identifying new business opportunities within the customer and supply base.
The role requires a deep understanding of market trends, customer needs, and supplier capabilities to ensure HFL remains competitively positioned for success in these areas.
Working as Business Development Executive (Fresh & Premium Foods) you will:
* Contribute to the strategic sales plan to grow sales across categories, sectors, customers, and territories
* Collaborate with Trading & Replenishment on category range, product sourcing, pricing, stock holding, and market trends.
* Work with sales and telesales teams to achieve KPI targets, aligned with the Fresh strategy.
* Support the development and implementation of fresh sales initiatives, product launches, and seasonal projects.
* Utilise the demo kitchen and supplier facilities to showcase products and train teams.
* Manage key business opportunities through CRM pipeline management for existing and target customers.
* Develop sales and margin opportunities with customers, in collaboration with the sales team.
* Work with pricing and trading teams to review category and sector pricing within set timeframes
* Negotiate pricing and product ranges to mitigate market volatility impacts.
* Efficiently plan time to maximize engagement with sales teams and key customers.
* Deliver customer presentations when required.
* Actively contribute to relevant meetings with sales and other company teams
* Prepare and present sales updates and action points at monthly sales meetings.
* Analyse sales and margin performance, recommending actions by category, customer, sector, and territory.
* Collaborate with the Strategic Development Manager to enhance sales and telesales team performance.
* Work cross-functionally with teams like Management, Telesales, Marketing, Trading, Re-order, and Transport.
* Perform sales analysis to identify trends and adjust the Fresh strategy accordingly
* Undertake other duties as required by the Strategic Development Manager within the scope of the role.
* Comply with HFL regulations and policies.
* Safeguard HFL property and maintain confidentiality.
* Foster positive relationships with other departments within HFL & Henderson Group.
Skills for Success
Joining us as Business Development Executive (Fresh & Premium Foods) the minimum criteria you’ll need is:
* GCSE in Maths and English (Grade C or higher) or an equivalent qualification
* Minimum of 2 years’ sales experience, ideally in the foodservice or hospitality industry or related field
* Ability to understand and adapt to customer needs and working patterns.
* Proven commercial awareness and business acumen.
* Excellent IT Skills particularly with MS Office packages
* Full UK/EU Driving License
The Attributes you’ll need include:
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Strong customer focus with the ability to motivate and inspire others to deliver the highest levels of customer service
* Ability to work within a team as well as working independently
It is Desirable if you have:
* Knowledge of meat and poultry products/cuts in the Foodservice market and strong understanding of fresh produce seasonality and product range development.
* Knowledge of premium food ingredients and their application in a customer-focused environment.
* Experience in product sourcing and direct dealings with fresh protein and produce.
* Demonstrable experience of developing sales plans in line with objectives & targets.
* Proven track record in managing key accounts and group partnerships.
* Experience in preparing and managing tender submissions.
Are we right for you?
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.
Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The Reward
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners.
You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success.
Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.
Benefits include market competitive salary, company car or allowance, bonus, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Reward Gateway Employee Recognition & Discount Scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email joanne.mcclelland@henderson-group.com to get in touch.
*Applicants should note that we reserve the right to apply the desirable criteria if required at shortlisting stage
Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight Sunday 27th April 2025
We are an equal opportunities employer.