Graduate Sales Executive

Overview

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 our exciting and growing B2B divisions (Healthcare, Care Homes, Education or Local Authority).

Travel to customers across the region and to national events, including overnight stays, will be a regular requirement - typically 1 night per week. (A company car is provided to facilitate this.)

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 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 2025. 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 and will be a first-class entry position to understand the workings of a B2B business.

Who we are

apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings. Our meals are expertly crafted by our dietitians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness. Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.

This role is part of our 2 year graduate programme, during which you will have exposure to mentoring, leadership training and support to achieve your full potential. You will have the opportunity to present to the executive team on your work. The aim of our programme is to train and develop graduates into future leadership roles.

Responsibilities

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 KPIs, and you will work collaboratively within your team.

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

About you

Essential:

1. Recent graduate (or graduating in 2025), preferably in a business-related subject
2. Ability to work under pressure to tight time-frames managing multiple projects
3. Confident presentation skills
4. Organised with the ability to multi-task
5. Excellent influencing, listening and communication skills
6. Logical and analytical, with a results focus
7. Valid UK car driving license

Desirable:

1. Some relevant work experience via placement year or work experience
2. 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”
3. Catering experience
4. 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.

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

Due to the geography of this role and the nature of working with customers, flexibility with working hours will be needed. As this role involves working with elderly and vulnerable customers, it is exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a satisfactory DBS check.

Company Benefits

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• Company car
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Generous annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 5%
• Life assurance scheme worth 2x annual salary
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

Our Values

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers. We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.