The Business Development Manager will lead efforts to expand the company’s retail presence within the fresh produce sector, with a strategic focus on Arizona, California, and the greater Southwestern United States. This role is responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities, increasing market share, and delivering data-driven insights to support long-term growth. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the regional retail landscape and a strong track record in business development within the produce industry.
Key Responsibilities:
Retail Business Development
- Identify, engage, and secure new retail partnerships, including regional and national grocery chains, independent grocers, and specialty retailers.
- Manage and grow existing retail accounts through strategic planning and consistent relationship management.
- Develop and implement account-specific strategies to meet volume, margin, and growth targets.
- Collaborate with internal sales and operations teams to ensure alignment between customer demand, product availability, and service execution.
Regional Market Expansion
- Drive business development efforts within Arizona, California, and other Southwestern markets through targeted outreach and market-specific initiatives.
- Represent the company at regional produce trade shows, industry events, and networking opportunities to increase brand visibility and develop new partnerships.
- Maintain a strong presence in the region through regular travel and direct customer engagement.
Market Penetration and Strategy
- Analyze current market presence and identify opportunities for increased penetration and brand positioning.
- Provide strategic input on pricing, packaging, and product offerings tailored to regional retail trends and customer expectations.
- Collaborate on the development of promotional plans to support in-store placement and seasonal programs.
Market Intelligence and Reporting
- Conduct regular market analysis, including competitor activity, pricing trends, customer preferences, and emerging opportunities.
- Translate insights into actionable strategies and share findings with key internal stakeholders.
- Prepare and deliver detailed reports on business development performance, pipeline progress, and market trends.
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Work closely with the sales and operations departments to ensure business development efforts are fully integrated with product supply, logistics, and customer service capabilities.
- Serve as the liaison between the customer and internal teams to ensure consistent execution and high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Contribute to planning and forecasting by providing accurate market input and timely updates on customer activity.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, sales, or account management within the produce or perishable food industry.
- In-depth knowledge of the retail produce landscape, with established relationships in Arizona, California, and the Southwest region preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver revenue growth and build long-term strategic partnerships.
- Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop sound business strategies.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Highly self-motivated and organized, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to travel frequently within the region.
Our company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law.
This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits and termination.
