Director of Business Development

Mueller-Yurgae Associates•Grimes, IA

About The Position

The Director of Business Development drives strategic growth across Mueller Yurgae Associates (MYA) by identifying, evaluating, and securing new client partnerships and expanding opportunities within MYA’s existing client portfolio. The role is the central point of coordination and gatekeeper for prospective new clients, evaluating strategic fit, white space, potential conflicts, financial value, and alignment with MYA’s capabilities. It works closely with Executive Leadership, divisional leaders, Finance, and other teams to evaluate, contract, onboard, and transition new clients. The position emphasizes growth in the Grocery channel while maintaining a companywide perspective across MYA’s divisions, channels, and services. The Director leads business-development pursuits, including capabilities presentations, proposals, RFPs, negotiations, and internal opportunity review. The role also identifies growth opportunities within existing accounts, develops senior-level client relationships, and coordinates cross-divisional opportunities. For approved prospects, the Director owns the transition through contracting and onboarding, coordinating financial review, documentation, team ownership, timelines, expectations, and communication, and remains engaged through the initial launch and transition period. The role monitors CPG, grocery, retail, manufacturer, and competitive trends; provides Executive Leadership with visibility into the pipeline, expansion opportunities, competitive threats, and client risks; and represents MYA with clients, partners, manufacturers, retailers, industry organizations, and other stakeholders. Travel may be required for client and internal meetings, presentations, and industry events. The position’s physical demands include regularly talking, hearing, and using hands to handle or operate office equipment; occasionally standing, walking, sitting, and reaching; and occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include close and distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The work environment typically has low-to-moderate noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. Duties may be modified, and additional job-related duties may be assigned. The description does not create an employment contract; employment remains at will.

Requirements

Significant experience in business development, sales leadership, client management, or strategic account management within the CPG, food brokerage, grocery, retail, or related industries.
Strong knowledge of the Grocery class of trade and relationships among manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers.
Demonstrated success identifying, developing, negotiating, and securing new business.
Strong business and financial acumen, including the ability to evaluate the strategic and financial value of prospective opportunities.
Ability to evaluate category white space, client conflicts, market opportunities, and organizational capabilities.
Strong executive presence and excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to collaborate across divisions and functions and influence outcomes without relying solely on direct authority.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities simultaneously.
Willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, presentations, industry events, and internal meetings.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sales, Management, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify, qualify, develop, and pursue new client opportunities across MYA.
Develop and maintain a strategic pipeline of prospective manufacturers and brands aligned with MYA’s capabilities, retailer relationships, geographic footprint, and growth strategy.
Serve as the primary gatekeeper for prospective new clients and coordinate internal review and approval.
Evaluate opportunities for strategic fit, revenue potential, category and client white space, competitive conflicts, operational requirements, and overall value.
Lead capabilities presentations, proposals, RFPs, negotiations, and other activities to secure new business.
Partner with Executive and divisional leadership to prioritize opportunities with the greatest strategic and financial potential.
Evaluate the existing client portfolio for expansion opportunities across divisions, customers, channels, geographies, and services.
Identify client white-space opportunities and coordinate cross-divisional growth with unified approaches and clear ownership.
Develop senior-level relationships with strategic clients to support retention and long-term growth.
Identify client risks or service gaps and work with appropriate leaders to strengthen at-risk relationships and protect existing business.
Manage the transition of approved prospects from business development through formal client onboarding.
Partner with Finance to review and approve contracts, commission structures, fees, financial terms, and other business requirements before onboarding.
Document business-development commitments and transition them to the teams responsible for execution.
Coordinate onboarding with Finance, divisional leadership, Sales, Analytics, Marketing, Operations, Distribution, and other applicable teams.
Establish ownership, timelines, expectations, and communication for each new client, and remain engaged through initial onboarding and transition.
Monitor CPG, grocery, retail, manufacturer, and competitive trends to identify opportunities and risks.
Provide Executive Leadership with visibility into the new-business pipeline, client expansion opportunities, competitive threats, and significant client risks.
Represent MYA with prospective clients, existing strategic partners, manufacturers, retailers, industry organizations, and other stakeholders.
Promote a companywide business-development approach that balances growth with profitability, operational capabilities, existing client relationships, and long-term strategic objectives.