Business Development Manager Retail & Foodservice

About Rival Foods

Rival Foods makes whole-cut plant-based alternatives to meat that rival the real thing in bite, texture and flavour. We use our own IP patented Shear cell technology to create a fibrous texture that is very similar to meat. We produce plant-based wholecuts, like steaks and chicken fillets and steak pieces and pulled chicken. Our products are great in taste, but also on nutritional profile. They contain around 30 g of protein per 100 g and have a clean label. They can tackle all barriers to eating more plant-based and are made for chefs and consumers who refuse to compromise on taste. We are a fast-growing company with a dedicated team on a mission to make plant-based the obvious choice — in the supermarket and on the menu.

The role

As a Business Development Manager Retail & Foodservice, you own and grow a portfolio of retail and foodservice customers, turning listings into volume and partners into long-term advocates for Rival Foods. You are the commercial face of the company to accounts and work closely with marketing, operations and product development to deliver results.

Key responsibilities

Account management (both channels)

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts against agreed volume, revenue and margin targets

• Negotiate terms, pricing, promotions and listings within agreed commercial frameworks

• Monitor sell-in and sell-out data, spot opportunities and act on underperformance

• Keep the CRM, sales forecasts and account plans accurate and up to date

• Represent Rival Foods at trade shows and industry events

Retail

• Work together with branded food companies to build our retail sales in Europe. Closing deals with new partners and managing relationships and performance with these partners.

• In case of direct sales to retail cutsomers, close deals, manage relationships and performance and run in-store and online promotions.

Foodservice

• Grow distribution through wholesalers and distributors, and support their sales teams with training and tools

• Win and develop direct operator accounts such as caterers, restaurant groups and contract caterers

Internal collaboration

• Translate customer insights into input for marketing, product development and pricing strategy.

• Align with finance to keep receivables on track, operations and supply chain on forecasts, launches and service levels

• Work according to the procedures of our management system, including food safety and quality requirements, in all customer agreements and activities

Who you are

Must have

• Bachelor’s degree (HBO/WO level), preferably in business, commerce or food

• 5 years of B2B sales or account management experience in the food industry

• Hands-on experience selling to retail and/or foodservice customers in the Benelux

• Proven track record of hitting targets and negotiating with buyers

• Strong commercial and analytical skills: comfortable with P&Ls, sell-out data and Excel

• Fluent in both Dutch and English

• Driver’s licence and willingness to travel to customers

Nice to have

• Experience in both retail and foodservice

• Existing network among retail buyers, wholesalers or foodservice operators

• Experience with plant-based, FMCG or challenger brands

• German or French language skills

What makes you a fit

• You are a natural relationship builder who is equally at ease with a category buyer and a head chef

• You are entrepreneurial and enjoy the pace and freedom of a scale-up

• You take ownership and follow through

• You believe in what plant-based food can do for the planet

What we offer

• A key commercial role with real ownership and visible impact on the company’s growth

• A competitive salary, mobility budget and laptop

• 25 holiday days, holiday allowance paid monthly, pension scheme

• Room to grow your skills and career as the company scales

• A passionate, ambitious team and products you can be proud of