Business Development Manager - Catering Services

Job Introduction

We currently have a new opportunity for a Business Development Manager within our Independent Schools business. In your role of Business Development Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end development of new business opportunities in the UK & Ireland. These business opportunities will cover a full range of catering, hospitality and housekeeping services required to deliver Sodexo’s Quality of Life propositions and ultimately driving measurable outcomes for all stakeholders. Working closely with the Business Development Director, you will build long term profitable relationships, network and collaborate to bring innovation and energy to long and sometimes complex, bid processes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an adaptable business development professional, offering career development working directly with the Business Development Director on the sales strategy, large complex bids and building the sales pipeline.

Role Responsibility

• Constantly review market activity in order to build a strong new business pipeline in line with segment strategy, ensuring that all target prospects and tender opportunities are in line with segment strategy and qualified for building long term growth for Sodexo
• Develop senior prospect relationships so as to proactively influence the target client associated with the Sodexo proposition/value
• Maintain on-going relationships with clients and internal personnel after award of contract to maximise the growth of our existing contracts and build on the Clients for Life philosophy
• Create and manage account strategy plans for prospects, build customer and competitor analysis and proactively obtain market intelligence
• Generate holistic solutions that are a compelling proposition to the client by addressing their business and customer needs and differentiating Sodexo from our competitors.
• Work closely with the BDD and Bid Support Team to plan and enable bid solution development and contribute to the development of the process
• Ensure best practice is delivered working with other departments and country entities in developing the best offer for Sodexo and the client
• Ensure all solutions produced by bid or sales activity teams are in line with both Sodexo and client commercial models and how each generates profit. 
   

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven track record of increasing revenue through new business generation, client retention and growth
• Proven ability to manage an end to end sales process from lead generation, bespoke tender/proposal writing, presentations, contractual negotiation and sales to operations handover.
• An excellent communicator with the ability to influence at a senior level
• Excellent presentation skills
• Experience in working with senior management to align sales strategies and solutions
• Experience of working in a growth focused environment
• Commercially aware with solid business development and financial management skills
• Confident, ambitious and energetic with a persuasive manner and the ability to use initiative
• Strong organisational skills and ability to bring together complex teams, precise scheduling and multiple and shifting priorities.

Package Description

Band B Package - Company Car, Flexible Benefits Scheme, Sales Bonus Plan

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.