Client Development Manager

Role Responsibility

As the lead for new business acquisition, you will be accountable for achieving annual sales targets by:

• Pipeline Development: Proactively identifying, researching, and developing a robust pipeline of new tendering opportunities.

• Tender Management: Leading the entire sales process, from creating initial appointments to strategically winning and closing new contracts.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Legal teams to craft commercially sound and compelling bid submissions.

• Relationship Building: Proactively building and maintaining strong relationships with prospective clients and consultants, confidently articulating Stir Food’s strengths and unique value proposition.

• Mobilisation & Retention: Assisting with the effective mobilisation of new contracts and providing support for the retention of key existing accounts when required.

• Reporting: Submitting weekly updates/reports to demonstrate activity, pipeline progress, and ensure alignment with our financial goals.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an agile professional with strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to close deals.

Essential Requirements:

• Sector Expertise: Strong understanding of the contract catering sector and the latest trends within the education market.

• Sales Mastery: Proven ability to manage the full sales lifecycle—from lead generation to successful contract closure.

• Bid Management: Experience managing and winning multiple, concurrent tenders, with excellent writing skills to create compelling proposals.

• Commercial & Financial Acumen: Strong commercial understanding, including the ability to build and present robust financial models within a tender submission.

• Presentation Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders.

• Technical: Strong IT skills and proficiency in managing sales activity and reporting.

• Other: A full UK driving licence is essential for this national, field-based role.

Package Description

We give our teams the time, freedom and tools they need to ensure pride in what they are doing each day! This role is:

• 40 hours per week
• 52 weeks per year 
• Working for a fast-growing company that would like you to grow with them
• Within a business that's dedicated to your development, we have a great L&D team to support you in enhancing your skills, including apprenticeships and training courses that are available for everyone.

We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people, and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.  Please also note that it may be necessary for this role to be removed before the closing date due to the volume of applications we receive.

About the Company

We are a school catering company that loves food, encourages a community spirit, and has a mission to put pride back into school kitchens across the UK.

We have an amazing team that we value greatly. There is an expert for everything with a diverse range of skills and abilities who all share our common goal of creating a stir in education catering.

We continually maintain high standards both in terms of the food we serve and the management and safety of our kitchens, which is driven by our committed team.  Our on-site teams receive regular support and training, which means they have the right skills to deliver the standards and performance that we expect.

We are looking for people with the creative initiative to grow with us and offer exciting opportunities that will attract the big thinkers and bold movers. If you think this is you, we'd love to hear from you.