Business Development Manager - NYC Shelter Services

Whitsons Culinary Group•New York City, NY

About The Position

Whitsons Culinary Group is hiring several Business Development Managers to expand prepared food and food service partnerships across New York City shelter services. This role focuses on identifying new business, building relationships across nonprofit and community-based organizations, understanding prospective clients’ needs, and developing tailored food service solutions. The position combines sales and relationship building with community impact and offers a base salary plus commission earning potential. The role is full-time and exempt, with standard hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Flexibility is required, and extended hours, evenings, or weekends may be necessary during business cycles. Significant travel is required, primarily throughout New York City, for customer engagement, trade events, regional operations, and leadership meetings. The employee must reside in one of New York City’s five boroughs. Work is performed primarily in the field at client locations and events, as well as in a home-office setting. The role requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing, handling objects or controls, and reaching. The employee may occasionally need to lift or move up to 25 pounds. Close vision and the ability to adjust focus are also required.

Requirements

Familiarity with NYC shelter services, nonprofits, human services, community-based organizations, or prepared food and food service markets.
Ability to regularly travel throughout New York City and reside in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island.
Demonstrated ability to prospect for new business, conduct outreach, develop relationships, and follow up consistently.
Comfort with cold outreach, in-person prospecting, customer meetings, networking, and site visits.
Strong communication, organization, and follow-through skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to understand client needs through effective questions and careful listening.
Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, hospitality, food service management, or a related field.
Professionalism and integrity when working with government agencies, community organizations, and vulnerable-population service providers.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Existing relationships within NYC nonprofit, shelter, human services, community-based organization, or prepared food and food service communities.
1–3 years of experience in business development, sales, account management, customer relations, community relations, or another client-facing role.
Experience in food service, hospitality, emergency food and shelter services, human services, nonprofit organizations, or government-related business.
Familiarity with CRM platforms for pipeline management and reporting.
Relevant experience and established relationships may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Identify and pursue new business opportunities within NYC shelter services.
Build a pipeline through networking, outreach, referrals, and community engagement.
Meet prospective clients, understand their needs, and develop tailored food service solutions.
Partner with internal teams on proposals and RFPs to secure new business.
Represent Whitsons Culinary Group at client meetings, industry events, and networking opportunities.
Conduct in-person prospecting, customer meetings, networking, and site visits throughout New York City.
Manage multiple prospects, activities, deadlines, and follow-up commitments.
Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Culinary, Finance, and other internal partners to advance opportunities.
Represent Whitsons professionally when working with government agencies, community organizations, and service providers to vulnerable populations.