Business Development Manager
Business Development Manager – Foodservice
Auckland, Hamilton, Northland, Nelson | Field-Based | Simply Food Solutions
Simply Food Solutions is recruiting for a Business Development Manager to manage & develop the sales relationships with the Bidfood branches in the above regions. Simply Food Solutions manages the Imported & Manufactured Exclusive Brands portfolio for Bidfood, providing high-quality, innovative food products to help our customers grow their business.
We are seeking a high-performing, results-driven sales professional to drive growth across both local and Exclusive Brands portfolios. This role is for hunters and closers who thrive on winning new business, expanding customer penetration, and delivering measurable sales results.
About the Roles:
- Manage call cycles, promotions, pricing, and deals to turn plans into tangible sales.
- Win new customers and grow repeat business with existing clients.
- Act as the first point of contact for branches and end-user customers, resolving issues quickly and keeping everyone connected to our brands.
- Drive product launches, promotions, and range implementation in your territory.
- Track and report on activity, results, and next steps to ensure accountability.
- Lead the growth of Simply Food Solutions’ Exclusive Brands, both imported and locally produced.
- Spend most of your time in-market, engaging with branch teams, leadership (GM & Sales Managers), and customers to identify opportunities, influence decisions, and close sales.
- Travel & work within your territories to deliver measurable results.
What Success Looks Like:
- Win new business and expand market share across your territory.
- Convert prospects into active customers through structured, solution-based selling.
- Grow product distribution, retention, and “pull-through” sales across branches and accounts.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with branch leadership, GMs, Sales Managers, and Procurement Managers.
- Deliver measurable sales growth aligned with strategy and KPIs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Proactively target, develop, and convert new business opportunities.
- Conduct structured branch and account reviews with clear actions and outcomes.
- Lead end-user sales engagements independently and with branch teams.
- Negotiate ranging, pricing, and commercial agreements within approved frameworks.
- Drive product launches, promotions, and targeted sales initiatives.
- Monitor sales performance, identify gaps, and implement corrective action.
- Build and maintain a network of key end-user relationships to drive sustainable growth.
- Provide market insights and feedback on tools, promotions, and resources.
- Accurately forecast new business and sales opportunities.
About You
- Commercially astute, highly motivated, and results-driven.
- Demonstrated success in winning new business and exceeding sales targets in foodservice or FMCG.
- Confident engaging at senior customer and branch leadership level.
- Strong negotiation, influencing, and closing skills.
- Structured, disciplined approach to pipeline and territory management.
- Ability to plan, prioritize, and execute independently.
- Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
- Comfortable traveling across your territory to drive results.
- Experience working with chefs, buyers, or foodservice customers is a strong advantage.
Why Join Simply Food Solutions?
- Representation with New Zealand’s leading foodservice distributor growing their Exclusive Brands portfolio.
- High autonomy with clear performance expectations and measurable results.
- National support across procurement, marketing, and sales.
- Opportunity to make a tangible commercial impact and grow your career.
