Business Development Manager

Chefs Warehouse•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Business Development Manager increases sales by developing new business opportunities and growing existing sales in the foodservice sector. The role focuses on multi-unit group business, retaining and growing platinum-level accounts, and recovering accounts lost within those areas. The manager researches current and emerging foodservice channels, identifies opportunities with sales staff, and uses a structured, goal-oriented approach to pursue each opportunity. The role requires tailoring proposals to customer needs, closing sales, building relationships with key decision makers, and maintaining oversight of accounts after they are handed over to sales to help maximize sales potential. The position also involves analyzing customer trends, menus, order guides, and purchases; preparing customer-friendly cost comparisons and sales presentations; gathering business intelligence and arranging appointments; supporting corporate business communications; coordinating with Transportation to develop areas where routes need additional tonnage; attending account headquarters meetings in a support role; and reviewing sales reports to identify underdeveloped accounts.

Requirements

Five or more years of sales experience in the foodservice or culinary business.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong computer skills, including Excel and Microsoft Office.
Proven leadership and motivational skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced selling environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently.
Presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
Proficiency in multiple forms of social media.

Nice To Haves

A four-year degree in Business or a related field is preferred.
Five to seven years of progressive growth in foodservice sales, preferably in the Northeast.
Advanced training in recent sales techniques is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and develop sales in current and emerging foodservice channels using research.
Collaborate with sales staff to identify opportunities that can help meet budgeted sales goals.
Develop and execute a methodical, goal-oriented plan for each identified sales opportunity.
Create tailored ideas and proposals based on customer needs; use strong closing skills to win business.
Build relationships with key decision makers and maintain them as needed after accounts are onboarded and transferred to sales.
Monitor accounts after handoff to help maximize sales potential.
Analyze trends, menus, order guides, and customer purchases to develop suggestions that increase sales.
Clean and analyze unfiltered data to create cost comparisons and present them in customer-friendly terms.
Gather street-level business intelligence, translate it into follow-up actions, and arrange appointments with decision makers.
Determine and create sales presentation content customized for each opportunity.
Support corporate business through daily communications.
Work with Transportation to develop areas where routes need additional tonnage and maximize routes.
Travel to account headquarters meetings in a support role.
Review sales reports regularly to identify and target accounts whose sales potential is not fully leveraged.