Business Development Specialist; Food GP

Position: Business Development Specialist (Food) GP
Job Title: Senior Business Development Specialist (Food)
Location:
Gauteng
Industry: Contract Catering
Type:
Permanent / Environment:
Commercial, fast-paced, client-facing

About the Role
Our client in the Contract Catering and Food Services industry is seeking a Senior Business Development Specialist with proven, hands-on experience in food catering contracts, tenders, and client-facing sales. This role is not suited to generic sales professionals. It is specifically for someone who has worked within contract catering environments such as hospital cafeterias, hotel food services, corporate canteens, education campuses, or industrial catering operations, and who understands menus, food costing, staffing models, and service delivery - while also being confident in selling, presenting, and closing new business.

(Valid license & own vehicle mandatory)

What you’ll be doing

Business Development & Sales (Food Services Focus)

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within contract catering and outsourced food services
• Develop and manage a robust sales pipeline focused on food service contracts
• Conduct client meetings, site visits, and presentations with decision-makers
• Build long-term relationships with hospitals, hotels, corporates, education institutions, and similar environments
• Achieve quarterly and annual sales targets through new contract wins

Tenders, Proposals & Contract Management

• Lead and manage end-to-end catering tenders and food service proposals
• Compile, coordinate, and submit compliant, detailed tenders aligned to food service requirements
• Participate in Bid Committees and contribute to tender strategies
• Conduct menu costing, feasibility studies, and commercial evaluations in collaboration with Operations
• Manage contract negotiations and ensure smooth handover to Operations once contracts are awarded
• Maintain accurate tender records, submission logs, and contract documentation

Client Engagement & Presentation

• Prepare and deliver professional, compelling presentations
• Confidently articulate catering concepts, menus, service models, and value propositions
• Coordinate and host client engagements and hospitality events
• Gather client feedback and support continuous service improvement

What you’ll need

• Matric (essential)
• Diploma :
  Business Management
• Valid License & Own vehicle
• 5–8 years’ experience in contract catering / food services business development
• Proven experience working with food service tenders and catering contracts
• Exposure to hospital, hotel, corporate, education, industrial, or healthcare catering

• Strong understanding of:
• Menu planning and food costing
• Catering operations and service delivery models
• Staffing structures and feasibility assessments
• Demonstrated ability to sell, present, negotiate, and close catering contracts

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent commercial and analytical skills
• High attention to detail, particularly in tender documentation
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Confident presenter with a consultative selling approach
• Self-driven, organized, and able to manage multiple tenders simultaneously

What is in it for you?

• Competitive salary: R50 000 – R60 000 CTC
• Senior, influential role within a well-established contract catering environment
• Exposure to large-scale food service contracts and high-value tenders
• Opportunity to work with major clients across multiple sectors

A Few Things to Know

• Based in Gauteng
• Travel required for site visits, presentations, and client meetings - valid license and own vehicle (mandatory)
• Only candidates with direct contract catering / food services experience will be considered

Ready to Apply?
Click Apply and please complete your application in full.
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