About Savona
Savona is a leading independent foodservice wholesaler with over 50 years of experience supplying chefs, caterers, and hospitality professionals across the South of England. What truly sets us apart isn’t just our products – it’s our people, our culture, and our customer-first mindset.
We’re a business built on relationships. Every order, every delivery, every conversation is driven by one simple value: Put the customer at the heart of everything we do. Our team takes pride in going the extra mile – anticipating needs, solving problems, and delivering a service experience that is personal, reliable, and refreshingly genuine.
We work fast, stay flexible, and think differently. As an independent company, we have the freedom to innovate, to act quickly, and to put doing the right thing above all else. Collaboration and integrity guide how we work – with our customers, our partners, and each other.
At Savona, you’ll join a team that values initiative, celebrates fresh ideas, and supports each other to grow. We’re passionate about food, serious about service, and proud of the reputation we’ve built.
Job Description
The success of Savona is due entirely to our employees. We are seeking a Business Development Manager who thrives on hunting for new business, to join our expanding field sales team; they will manage their own geographical area.
This is a field-based role. You will be expected to manage and grow your existing customers, find and win new business within your defined geographical area. You will aim to exceed sales and margin targets, identify category gaps, set objectives, and successfully secure new sales maximising the average drop value. You will report to the Regional Sales Manager and will be supported by a designated customer service advisor.
Key responsibilities:
- Achieve sales and margin targets
- Win & retain profitable new business
- Retain and grow existing customer sales and margins
- Ensure regular customer contact to achieve outstanding customer service
- Work with internal departments and suppliers to maximise sales, margins and product knowledge
- Have a good understanding of your geographical target area to grow reputation and suggest ideas to the business
- Ensure all relevant administrative and reporting requirements are fulfilled within deadlines set
What makes a great Business Development Manager?
- You will be an excellent communicator, able to adapt your approach for different customers and remain calm under pressure
- Because you care about customers, you’ll pay attention to the details and take pride in doing a great job
- A proven track record of account management and prospecting new accounts within the foodservice sector
- Catering product knowledge and a good understanding of the leisure and hospitality industry
- Strong negotiations skills. With the ability to influence confidently across all levels
- You love working with people, whether its building great relationships with colleagues or providing amazing service to our customers
- Organised, passionate and energetic, with excellent people skills and a customer-centric approach
- PC literate (training will be given on internal systems)
- Sound commercial awareness and business acumen+
You will be offered continued professional development as well as a great package including a competitive salary, bonus, company car, mobile phone, and laptop.
Employee Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Generous bonus scheme
- ·Long service awards
- Company Pension scheme
- Death in service benefit
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Non Contributory Cash Health Plan
- Access to discounted food
How to apply
To apply, please send your CV via the form below.
