Business Development Manager - Fresh Herbs & Produce

Rocket Farms Inc•Half Moon Bay, CA

28d•$110,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Rocket Farms is a leading supplier of fresh culinary herbs on the West Coast, offering both conventional and organic products in various formats like potted herbs, living herbs, fresh-cut herbs, and microgreens. Their products are available in major grocery retailers nationwide, catering to consumer demand for fresh, local, and convenient flavor solutions. This role is crucial for expanding Rocket Farms' reach in the rapidly growing fresh herb market, focusing on identifying new customers, increasing distribution, and introducing their expanding portfolio of fresh herbs, microgreens, and value-added produce to a wider range of retailers across grocery, club, and mass retail sectors.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
5+ years of business development, national account management, or strategic sales experience selling produce, fresh herbs, perishables, or other fresh categories into grocery, club, or mass retail customers.
Demonstrated success identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities while achieving sales and profitability objectives.
Established relationships with grocery, club, or mass retail buyers and key decision-makers strongly preferred.
Experience within the produce, horticulture, perishables, floral, or other consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries strongly preferred.
Strong prospecting, relationship-building, presentation, negotiation, and business development skills.
Proven ability to develop strategic sales plans, manage a robust sales pipeline, and successfully close new business opportunities.
Experience with CRM, EDI, syndicated scan/category management data, and ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics NAV preferred).
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.

Nice To Haves

Established relationships with grocery, club, or mass retail buyers and key decision-makers strongly preferred.
Experience within the produce, horticulture, perishables, floral, or other consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries strongly preferred.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with the VP of Sales and Marketing to identify and pursue strategic growth opportunities that support sales and profitability objectives within grocery, club, and mass retail.
Develop new business by securing new retail customers and expanding Rocket Farms' presence across new banners, divisions, and regions.
Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline through strategic prospecting, networking, industry relationships, and customer engagement.
Develop trusted relationships with produce buyers, category managers, and key decision-makers by presenting innovative herb, microgreen, and fresh produce programs and tailored business solutions.
Lead customer presentations, business reviews, and sales meetings that highlight Rocket Farms' expanding fresh herb, microgreen, and produce programs and support new business opportunities.
Successfully transition new customer relationships to long-term account partnerships.
Identify emerging produce trends, category opportunities, and customer needs to expand Rocket Farms' fresh herb and produce footprint.
Represent Rocket Farms at customer meetings, trade shows, and industry events to expand brand awareness and cultivate new business relationships.
Partner with Operations, Production, Customer Support, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure successful onboarding and execution of new customer programs.
Collaborate across departments to support a seamless customer experience from initial opportunity through successful launch.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of department and company objectives.