About us:

Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don't just serve meals—we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen.

Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.

The Role:

As a Client Relationship Manager, you will take full ownership of an annual retention target within your region. You will be the bridge between our clients and operational teams, ensuring we not only keep our valued partners happy but also expand our footprint through compelling, high-quality tender responses.

• Monday - Friday
• 37.5 hours per week
• 52 weeks per year
• £60,000 - £65,000 per annum

Your responsibilities will include:

Client Retention & Growth: Own the annual retention target for your area. Build deep, long-lasting relationships with clients, understand their strategic objectives, and identify organic growth opportunities.

Tender & Bid Management: Lead the tender process from initial planning to contract award. Collaborate with consultants, operations, and internal departments to craft winning, highly professional proposals.

Tender Compliance & Quality Control: Ensure all bids are completed to the specifications required, maintaining the highest standards of documentation, accuracy, and brand alignment.

Strategic Account Planning: Develop and maintain comprehensive Strategic Account Plans. Stay ahead of market trends and category-specific landscapes that could impact contract retention.

Value Communication: Confidently articulate and position the benefits of our offerings against competitors through high-impact presentations and proposals to stakeholders at all levels.

Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and grow strong relationships across client stakeholders to understand their core strategies, build trust, and shape tailored development plans.

Commercial Governance: Ensure all bids and proposals fall strictly within company guidelines, managing the formal sign-off process for any exceptions.

About you:

To thrive in this role, you will bring a blend of commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and exceptional relationship-building skills. Specifically, we are looking for:

• Proven operational experience is essential; a background in sales or account management is highly desirable.
• A track record of successfully navigating the tender process from inception to contract award.
• Exceptional listening, negotiation, verbal, and written communication skills. You must be comfortable influencing and presenting to board-level executives.
• Ability to analyse market trends, position offers against competitors, and formulate proactive account strategies.
• Ability to efficiently update, maintain, and navigate company CRM and Business Management Systems.

Why Join the Aspens Family?

As one of the UK's fastest-growing independent businesses, we place our people at the core of our success, offering limitless career progression..

• Career Investment: We provide comprehensive learning and development programmes, offering the opportunity to gain professional qualifications with dedicated support.
• Total Rewards Package: Alongside a competitive salary and a car allowance, our comprehensive benefits programme includes:
• Private Healthcare
• Enhanced parental leave
• Your birthday as an additional day of paid leave

Please note: We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people, so an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company