Salary £46,142 - £51,356 per annum | Fixed Term 2 year contract | Full Time 37 hours per week | Preston/Hybrid
Help shape the future of school food across Lancashire
Every day, Lancashire County Council's Schools Catering Service provides high-quality meals to thousands of children across the county. As one of the largest school catering operations in the country, we have a strong reputation, an established customer base and ambitious plans for future growth.
We're now looking for a commercially minded Business Development Manager to help lead the next phase of that journey.
This is a rare opportunity to combine commercial success with genuine public impact. You'll play a key role in helping more schools, academies and Multi-Academy Trusts access a trusted, high-quality catering service that supports children's health, wellbeing and achievement.
About the Role
This is much more than a traditional business development post.
You'll be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, supporting customer retention and helping to drive sustainable income growth across the Schools Catering Service.
Collaborating closely with senior leaders, schools, academies and trusts, you'll help shape our commercial approach, influence future growth plans and ensure Lancashire remains a provider of choice in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Key areas of responsibility include:
About You
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate a track record of delivering business growth, developing strong customer relationships and identifying commercial opportunities.
You may come from catering, facilities management, hospitality, education services, business services or another commercially focused environment. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, influence decision-makers and deliver results.
You will be:
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview consisting of:
Join us and help shape the future growth of one of Lancashire's most successful traded services.
Closing Date: 14 August 2026
Interview Date: We intend to hold interviews on 19th and 20th August at County Hall, Preston. However, we recognise that the recruitment period may coincide with planned holiday arrangements. Where possible, we will seek to offer flexibility around interview dates for shortlisted candidates who have pre-booked leave.
Why join us?
By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted.
In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:
Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role.
You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. In certain circumstances consideration may be given to applicants who, as a consequence of a disability, are unable to drive
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.
Lancashire County Council is committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in Lancashire. We believe that all our citizens have the right to be treated fairly. We recognise that some people do not get an equal chance in life.
For some of our children and young people this can have a lasting impact on their future. We will play our part in helping to narrow the gaps that exist between different parts our communities and improving the quality of life of those who have less advantages and are in danger of poor outcomes.
As a community leader, employer and provider of services we want to make sure that everyone in Lancashire has the opportunity to achieve their potential, no matter where they live or what their background, individual characteristics or personal circumstances might be.
