Business Development Executive

Job Description: Business Development Sales Executive

Premium Desserts | B2B Sales

About the Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven and commercially minded Business Development Sales Executive to help grow our customer base and increase sales of our high-quality, premium dessert products.

This is a proactive, sales-focused role suited to someone who thrives on winning new business, building strong customer relationships and identifying opportunities to increase sales. You will be responsible for developing new accounts, re-engaging potential customers and maximising opportunities within existing accounts.

You will represent our premium dessert range to a diverse customer base, including dessert bars, farm shops, delis, hotels, golf clubs, visitor attractions, restaurants and other hospitality and foodservice businesses.

We are looking for a natural salesperson who is hungry for success, resilient in the face of rejection and motivated by turning opportunities into sales. You will need to be confident, professional and persistent, with the ability to communicate the quality and value of our products and demonstrate why customers should choose us over our competitors.

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development

• Proactively identify, research and approach potential new customers across relevant sectors.
• Make daily outbound cold calls, targeting approximately 15–20 calls per working day, Monday to Friday.
• Generate new sales leads, arrange appointments and convert prospects into active, profitable customer accounts.
• Visit prospective and existing customers to showcase our premium dessert range, build relationships and secure new business.
• Follow up promptly and persistently on enquiries, quotations, samples and sales opportunities.
• Maintain a strong pipeline of prospects and consistently work towards agreed sales targets.

Sales Growth and Account Development

• Promote and sell our premium dessert products with confidence, enthusiasm and commercial awareness.
• Identify opportunities to upsell, cross-sell and increase the range and volume of products purchased by customers.
• Develop existing accounts to maximise sales potential and build long-term, profitable relationships.
• Understand customer needs and recommend products that suit their business, customers and sales opportunities.
• Confidently communicate our product quality, premium positioning and unique selling points.
• Professionally overcome objections, negotiate effectively and differentiate our products from competitors.
• Monitor competitor activity and identify opportunities to win market share.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build and maintain professional, productive relationships with customers and prospects.
• Deliver an excellent customer experience at every stage of the sales process.
• Keep in regular contact with customers to identify changing requirements and generate repeat business.
• Represent the business and its products professionally during telephone conversations, customer visits and industry events.

Organisation and Performance

• Plan and manage your own daily and weekly sales activity effectively.
• Keep accurate records of calls, customer visits, sales opportunities and follow-up actions.
• Maintain an up-to-date customer database and sales pipeline.
• Monitor performance against agreed targets and take ownership of achieving results.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure customer requirements are communicated and opportunities are converted efficiently.
• Be flexible with working patterns to meet business and customer needs, including occasional evening calls or appointments where required.

About You

We are looking for someone who is passionate about sales and has the drive and determination to succeed.

You will be:

• Proactive: You take the initiative, seek out opportunities and never wait to be told what to do next.
• Resilient: You can handle rejection positively, bounce back quickly and maintain your enthusiasm when a sale takes time to secure.
• Persuasive: You have the confidence and ability to influence buying decisions, overcome objections and close sales.
• Commercially minded: You understand how to identify opportunities, grow account value and focus on profitable business.
• Organised: You manage your time effectively, plan your calls and visits, and follow up when you say you will.
• Self-motivated: You are comfortable working independently, managing your own workload and remaining focused on results.
• Quick-thinking: You can adapt your approach, respond confidently to questions and find solutions to challenges.
• Professional: You communicate clearly, present yourself well and represent a premium brand to a high standard.
• Enthusiastic: You have a positive attitude, genuine energy for selling and the determination to keep pushing forward.
• Relationship-focused: You can build trust with customers while remaining commercially focused and confident in asking for the sale.

You should be comfortable balancing high levels of outbound sales activity with customer visits, relationship building and ongoing account development.

Essential Requirements

• A full, clean UK driving licence.
• Confidence and capability in making outbound cold calls and approaching new customers.
• Strong verbal communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organisation, time management and follow-up skills.
• The ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and take ownership of results.
• A resilient, positive and target-driven approach to sales.
• Flexibility to work hours that meet business requirements, including; trade shows with the requirement to stay out, occasional evening calls or appointments.

Previous B2B sales or business development experience would be highly advantageous, particularly within food, drink, hospitality, foodservice or premium consumer products. A demonstrable track record of winning new business and growing sales is desirable.

Working Hours and Location

• Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday.
• Working hours will vary according to business requirements and customer availability.
• Occasional evening calls, meetings or appointments may be required.
• Regular travel will be necessary to visit prospective and existing customers.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means consistently generating new opportunities, converting prospects into customers, growing existing accounts and delivering measurable sales growth.

We want someone who takes ownership of their results, actively looks for the next opportunity and understands that successful sales come from preparation, persistence, excellent customer service and the confidence to ask for the business.

If you are a determined salesperson who loves winning new customers, building relationships and turning opportunities into revenue, we would love to hear from you.

Pay: £30,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company car
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (required)

Experience:

• B2B sales: 2 years (required)
• Cold calling: 2 years (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Location:

• Shipley BD18 2JL (preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (required)

Work Location: In person