Food & Beverage Business Development Manager

Looking for an opportunity to lead growth within the Food & Beverage market, influence industry leaders, and make a visible commercial impact across a strategic sector, all while enjoying the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere in the UK or Ireland?

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Business Development Manager to lead growth within the Food & Beverage sector across the UK.

This role is responsible for developing new business opportunities, expanding customer relationships, and increasing DNV's market presence across food manufacturing, food processing, packaging, logistics, retail supply chains, farming, aquaculture and associated sectors.

The successful candidate will act as the commercial lead for the Food & Beverage market, developing a strong understanding of industry trends, customer challenges and regulatory developments to identify growth opportunities across DNV's assurance and training portfolio.

This is a highly visible role requiring a proactive approach to business development, customer engagement and market expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Growth Within the Food & Beverage Sector

- Develop and execute a market growth strategy for the UK Food & Beverage sector.
- Identify and secure new customer opportunities across food manufacturing, processing, packaging, logistics, distribution and retail supply chains.
- Generate sustainable new business opportunities through direct prospecting, networking and industry engagement.
- Build a pipeline capable of supporting annual growth objectives.
- Convert competitor accounts and increase DNV's market share.

Develop Strategic Customer Relationships

- Build trusted relationships with decision-makers across the Food & Beverage industry.
- Develop account plans for customers and prioritise strategic prospects.
- Identify opportunities to expand existing customer relationships through additional certification, training and assurance services.
- Support customer retention through proactive engagement and long-term partnership development.

Sector Leadership

- Become a recognised commercial representative for DNV within the Food & Beverage market.
- Develop a strong understanding of industry challenges, emerging trends and regulatory developments.
- Maintain awareness of certification schemes and market requirements relevant to the sector.
- Provide market insight and customer intelligence to support business planning and service development.

Industry Engagement

- Represent DNV at industry events, exhibitions, conferences and trade associations.
- Develop relationships with consultants, industry bodies and key influencers.
- Promote DNV's expertise and market position through customer-facing activities.
- Support sector-specific marketing campaigns and lead-generation initiatives.

Pipeline & Forecast Management

- Maintain a healthy sales pipeline and clear opportunity progression.
- Deliver accurate forecasting and reporting.
- Manage opportunities effectively through CRM systems.
- Take ownership of revenue, activity and growth objectives.

Collaborative Working

- Work closely with Planning, Customer Service, Technical Experts and Strategic Account teams.
- Ensure a seamless transition from sale to service delivery.
- Support wider commercial initiatives across the UK Business Assurance business.
- Share Food & Beverage market knowledge and best practice across the organisation.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will:

- Achieve or exceed annual sales targets.
- Deliver measurable growth within the Food & Beverage sector.
- Increase market penetration within target industries.
- Build a strong and sustainable pipeline of opportunities.
- Grow strategic customer relationships and sector visibility.
- Provide accurate forecasting and commercial insight.
- Become a recognised and trusted representative of DNV within the industry.

Skills & Experience

Essential

- Proven business development or sales experience within the Food & Beverage sector.
- Strong track record of winning new business and developing customer relationships.
- Experience selling consultative, technical or professional services.
- Excellent commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
- Strong presentation, communication and networking abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple opportunities and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Self-motivated with a proactive approach to market development.

Desirable

- Experience within certification, assurance, auditing, food safety, sustainability or compliance services.
- Knowledge of recognised Food & Beverage standards and schemes such as: BRCGS
- FSSC 22000
- Supplier Assurance Programmes

- Existing network within the UK Food & Beverage industry.
- Understanding of sustainability, supply chain assurance and ESG-related requirements.