Business Development Manager

We are a specialist recruitment business focused exclusively on the meat processing sector across the UK and Ireland.

The Butchers Recruiter is part of The Food Recruitment Group, working solely with meat processors and butchery businesses to deliver tailored recruitment solutions built on deep industry knowledge.

We are an owner-led, hands-on business that understands the real challenges faced by the industry. We are committed to providing reliable, high-quality recruitment solutions that our customers can depend on.

We work closely with some of the industry s leading meat processing companies, supplying skilled professionals who play a vital role in helping to feed the nation.

What s in it for you?

• High level of autonomy and trust to manage your territory and client relationships
• Direct support from senior leadership and the Group Partnership Manager
• Opportunity to specialize in the UK meat industry and build long-term client partnerships
• Genuinely flexible hybrid working (on the road, working from home, and some collaborative working days with a team in Northampton negotiable, depending on your base)
• Competitive base salary with performance-related commission
• Clear progression opportunities within a growing, specialist recruitment business

The Role
We are hiring a Business Development Manager to work closely with our Group Partnership Manager in developing and growing long-term client partnerships across the UK meat industry. This is a commercial, relationship-led role, focused on winning and developing new business within meat processing, butchery, and food manufacturing environments.

You will work collaboratively on strategy, attend key client meetings alone and together with the GPM, help progress opportunities from initial conversation through to signed Terms of Business and handover to delivery. This is not a standalone sales role. You will not be operating in isolation; success in this role comes from working closely with senior leadership to deliver sustainable, well-structured partnerships rather than transactional wins. This is a 180 role within brand, supported by an industry lead in-house resourcing function.

Key Responsibilities As Business Development Manager:

New Business & Partnerships

• Identify and engage new client opportunities within the UK meat industry (processors, wholesalers, traditional butchers, manufacturers)
• Lead initial outreach, relationship building and qualification conversations
• Progress commercial discussions in partnership with the Group Partnership Manager
• Attending client meetings and site visits across the UK (Focus area will be motorway reach (M5 / M6 / M42) with Easy access to, Wales, East Midlands and South West.
• Position our recruitment solutions clearly and credibly, aligned to agreed commercial frameworks

Commercial & Sales Cycle Ownership

• Manage your pipeline from first contact through to signed Terms of Business
• Present agreed fee structures, delivery models, and partnership approaches
• Handle objections confidently and professionally, escalating commercial decisions where required
• Ensure all opportunities are accurately tracked and updated in the CRM

Strategy & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Group Partnership Manager to shape client strategy and approach
• Feed market intelligence, client feedback, and competitor insights into leadership discussions
• Support the wider team by ensuring smooth handover of vacancies to resourcing once terms are agreed
• Contribute to the overall growth strategy of the division

KPIs & Targets

• New client partnerships secured
• Vacancies signed and released to delivery
• Revenue influenced (salary and fee value)

Benifits of this role:

• High level of autonomy and trust to manage your territory and client relationships
• Direct support from senior leadership and the Group Partnership Manager
• Opportunity to specialize in the UK meat industry and build long-term client partnerships
• Genuinely flexible hybrid working (on the road, working from home, and 1 day per week in Northampton)
• Competitive base salary with performance-related commission
• Clear progression opportunities within a growing, specialist recruitment business

This role suits candidates with experience in the meat industry who ve moved into commercial, sales or client-facing roles, as well as established B2B sales professionals looking to specialise. Backgrounds in food manufacturing, FMCG, operational sales, or progression from meat processing or butchery are all relevant. Above all, you ll be commercially minded, credible with owner-led businesses, and confident building long-term relationships.

To apply for this role as Business Development Manager, please click apply online and upload an updated copy of your CV.