Graduate Sales Executive

We are looking to recruit talented Graduate Sales Executives who want to work in the field learning their trade, working in an exciting and dynamic B2B sales environment.

The ambition of this programme is to train, develop and support you to become successful in new business acquisition as a sales manager in two years.

The first two years of the programme will see you spending time in two of our exciting and growing B2B divisions (Healthcare, Care Homes, Education or Local Authority).

During that time, you will learn the apetito proposition inside and out and support the team in mobilising new business, at trade shows and with existing customers. In this phase you will learn the key skills in looking after and developing existing commercial relationships. You will understand the importance of developing a commercial focus to enable you to grow relationships and business from within.

Then we will support you on the journey towards winning new business whilst cultivating a long-term relationships. We will help you hone your commercial skills enabling you to confidently build proposals, present them to prospective customers resulting in new business wins in line with your budget.

Our B2B business units offer a “product, system, service” solution to our customers that enables them to deliver fantastic food to their patients, residents or pupils that will meet the often-complex needs of their consumer whilst delivering them a consistent and simple solution that saves them time and therefore money.

This role forms part of our Graduate Development Programme, which begins in September 2024. You’ll get to experience our business first-hand, through a diverse range of projects and challenges. It’s a great way to get a clear understanding of the sales process and learn about the real difference apetito makes to our customers and their patients, residents or pupils’ lives, many of whom are the most vulnerable people in our society. No two days will be the same.

This is a key role (within our Healthcare, Care Home, Education and Local Authority teams) and will be a first-class entry position to understand the workings of a B2B business.

As well as the opportunities of the Graduate Program, you will receive a competitive salary, company car to enable you to travel to your customers, 25 days annual leave, entry into the company bonus scheme and pension contributions, plus lots of other perks! 

Who We Are

apetito is the UK’s leading supplier of food to the health and social care sectors. Servicing over 400 hospitals, 500 care homes, 200 schools and nurseries and thousands more through our work with Local Authorities, we produce delicious, nutritious and sustainable meals for people at home or in care. Through our food we look to ‘make a real difference’ to all our customers, up and down the country.

 Our Values

Established in 1958, as a family-owned business, our values sit at the very heart of what we do. We are proud to be a business that ‘makes a real difference’, committed to producing ‘great food to be proud of’. We have developed a range of products designed to ‘enhance health and well-being’ for all our customers. We are proud supporters of British food and farming and focus on using the best ‘ethical and sustainably’ sourced produce.

We are driven by a ‘passion for service’, dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people, offering healthy and delicious meals to customers across the UK.

Ethical & Sustainable

As a business which operates within food manufacturing, we believe we have an obligation to make a positive contribution on society. With over 300 products in our range, we ensure our produce is ethically and sustainably sourced, working only with suppliers who share our commitment to making a positive impact.

We’re a proud member of the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI), a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs, that promote respect for workers’ rights globally. All our new suppliers now operate under the ETI’s guidelines.

We are also a member of The UK’s Plastics Pact, an initiative looking to transform the plastic packaging industry in the UK. As part of the initiative, we have committed, along with other ambitious targets, to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic completely by 2025.

We have also made a commitment to our employees – we’re recognised as an accredited Living Wage employer by the Living Wage Foundation. Joining an elite group of FTSE 100 companies and public sector organisations.

This role is field based, initially working with existing customers, learning the apetito proposition inside and out, whilst developing the skills to build strong professional relationships and grow business from within.

You will have clear KPI’s, and you will work collaboratively within your team.

• Being a genuine partner to your customers
• ‘Mobilising’ new customers
• Training our customers and their teams
• Presenting to key stakeholders both internally and externally
• Improving the dining experience for patients/ residents / pupils
• Sharing our expertise in food and nutrition
• Helping the customer manage its food budget.
• Identifying opportunities to grow from within
• Working on business development opportunities
• Contributing to a positive team environment
• Working effectively alone and in a team

 Essential:

• Graduate (or graduating in 2024). Preferably in a business-related subject.
• Ability to work under pressure to tight time-frames managing multiple projects.
• Confident presentation skills 
• Organised with the ability to multi-task.
• Excellent influencing, listening and communication skills.
• Logical and analytical, with a results focus.
• Full driving license

*Due to the nature of this role a basic level DBS will be required for this role

 Desirable:

• Some relevant work experience via placement year or work experience
• Geographical flexibility – as this role will involve two separate assignments, the willingness (within reason) to work in different geographical locations in the UK over two “placements.”
• Catering experience
• Sales experience

Personal Qualities:

We are looking for a self-motivated person who can work on their own but is also a team player who can help us meet joint objectives.

• Passion – Must display a passion for this role.
• Gravitas- Credibility with Group Owners/Management Boards
• Empathy with the customer – able to deliver through others.
• Constantly challenges existing practices; strives for excellence.
• Resilient and determined, persistent in pursuit of achievement.
• Like-ability – people buy from people.
• Approachable and presentable
• Prepared to work flexible hours.
• Able to stay away overnight as needed. Typically, no more than one to two nights per week
• Role will include a significant amount of regional travel depending on location.
• Self-starter with can-do attitude and positive outlook
• Excellent project management
• A real team player
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Problem solver