Job Description

The Opportunity

Joining Nestlé means you are joining the largest food and beverage company in the world. At our very core, we are a human environment – passionate people driven by the purpose of enhancing the quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. This role sits within the Nestlé Professional New Zealand team, where we deliver a comprehensive product range across Culinary Foodservice solutions and Coffee categories, including Soluble, Liquid and Roast & Ground. Leading brands include Maggi, Buitoni, Docello, Nescafé, Buondi and Milo.

We’re looking for a commercially sharp, opportunity‑led Business Development Manager – NZ reporting directly to the Country Manager of Nestlé Professional NZ. This is a national role with accountability for shaping and executing the NZ business development strategy, building high‑value customer partnerships and unlocking new growth opportunities across foodservice channels.

This is not a role for someone who simply maintains the status quo. It’s about finding the white space, opening new doors and creating growth — whether through new customers, new channels, new solutions or new ways of partnering. You’ll work closely with cross‑functional teams locally and regionally to turn ideas into action and strengthen Nestlé Professional’s leadership position in the NZ market. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on influence, complexity and winning through collaboration.

A day in the life

No two days look the same — and that’s exactly how you like it.

• You lead and execute the business development strategy for New Zealand, turning ambition into action and growth into results.
• You’re not here just to manage accounts. You’re here to find opportunities, open doors and build long‑term partnerships across foodservice — from contract catering and healthcare to aged care, QSR , Business & Industry and many more.
• You’re constantly scanning the market: spotting gaps, connecting dots and asking “where else can we win?”
• You shape and deliver clear customer engagement plans and JBPs, with defined commercial outcomes and growth targets — and you own the follow‑through.
• You drive Top‑to‑Top conversations, strategic reviews and quarterly business discussions, making sure we show up aligned, prepared and commercially sharp.
• You own the national pipeline, actively hunting new business while unlocking incremental growth from existing customers.
• You lead the charge on agreements, tenders and commercial proposals, using data and insight to build a targeted national growth strategy.
• You keep a close eye on performance — tracking forecasts, momentum and delivery against commitments, and adjusting course when needed.
• You work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain and Category teams, pulling the right people together to land winning customer solutions.
• You share wins, learnings and market insights, helping lift capability and sharpen thinking across the NZ business.
• And through it all, you operate with integrity — living Nestlé principles, policies and compliance standards every day.

What will make you successful

• You’re acommercial growth driver who enjoys complexity, spots opportunity early, and knows how to turn it into results.
• You bring strong commercial sales experience (5+ years), ideally across national accounts and multi‑site customers within the Out‑of‑Home / Foodservice sector.
• You understand how the foodservice ecosystem works — with experience across healthcare, aged care, contract catering or QSR a strong advantage.
• A bonus if you already have established relationships with key customers and distributors in the NZ market.
• You’re commercially savvy, confident using data to build business cases, prioritise opportunities and drive sound decision‑making.
• You have a proven track record of results, including pipeline growth, contract wins and revenue delivery.
• You bring a genuine hunter mindset — you actively seek out new opportunities beyond the existing customer portfolio.
• You think laterally, spotting angles and unlocking value where others might not.
• You’re an effective influencer and relationship builder, able to work across customers, distributors and internal teams without formal authority.
• You communicate with clarity and confidence, especially when engaging senior customer stakeholders.
• You thrive in complexity, comfortably juggling multiple projects, conversations and priorities.
• You’ve been involved in driving NPD from idea through to market, working cross‑functionally to deliver outcomes.
• You’re comfortable operating in a corporate environment, understanding the guardrails while still pushing for growth.
• You’re self‑driven, curious and motivated by winning — with a genuine passion for food, innovation and customer‑centric solutions.
• You hold full New Zealand working rights and are willing to complete pre‑employment checks.

Benefits

You will have the chance to work with an outstanding and highly engaged team, build and grow your career with an inclusive, global FMCG leader.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary + attractive bonus program
• Hybrid working model
• Company contributions to KiwiSaver (FYI - This is only if the employee is contributing beyond the default KS contribution)
• Life & Income Protection Insurance for KiwiSaver
• Up to 5 ‘KitKat Days’ each year to rest, recharge and support your wellbeing
• Personalised development and varied career opportunities within a global FMCG leader
• Wellbeing perks including free flu vaccinations, discounted private health insurance, and discounted gym memberships including access to Fitness Passport
• Access to Purchased Leave, Volunteering Leave, Sports Leave and Emergency Services Leave
• Up to 18 weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Discounts on Nestlé products and offers from our retail and service partners

Our Story

Nestlé enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s largest FMCG companies and a leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our inclusive and high-performance culture is a testament to the great training, development, rewards and recognition we extend to every member of our 5000-strong Oceania workforce.

At Nestlé, you will work in a supportive environment where your ideas and points of view will be championed by a collaborative team. Together, we will drive the strength of our brands, the quality of our products, and the future of our business