Sales Professional/Business Development Manager

The VPS Companies•Watsonville, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sales Professional / Business Development Manager is responsible for developing and expanding customer relationships within the frozen food and food manufacturing industries. This role focuses on growing revenue through both new business development and strategic account management , while working closely with internal operations teams to deliver customized product and supply chain solutions. The ideal candidate brings strong industry relationships, a consultative sales approach, and the ability to translate customer needs into profitable business opportunities.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in food industry sales , preferably in frozen foods, ingredients, co-packing, or foodservice supply
Demonstrated success in business development and account growth
Strong understanding of food industry pricing structures, supply chains, and customer requirements
Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills
Ability to translate customer needs into customized service solutions
Strong communication and presentation skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or related field
Experience working with food manufacturers, co-packers, or frozen food distributors
Familiarity with CRM systems and sales pipeline management
Knowledge of food safety, quality standards, and regulatory requirements

Responsibilities

Business Development Identify, develop, and close new business opportunities within food manufacturers, foodservice companies, and industrial ingredient users
Proactively prospect new accounts through industry networking, trade shows, referrals, and targeted outreach
Expand VPS’s presence with existing customers by identifying cross-selling opportunities across sales, co-packing, and cold storage services
Account Management Build and maintain strong, long-term customer relationships
Serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction
Anticipate customer needs and proactively offer solutions that add value to their business
Sales Strategy & Market Intelligence Monitor market conditions including commodity trends, supply availability, logistics costs, and competitive activity
Provide customers with timely insights on pricing, product availability, and market changes
Work with leadership to develop sales strategies aligned with company growth objectives
Pricing & Proposal Development Develop competitive pricing and proposals based on product specifications, logistics, and operational costs
Analyze cost structures including product, packaging, freight, handling, and storage
Negotiate contracts and commercial terms with customers
Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with operations, production, procurement, and logistics teams to ensure alignment between sales commitments and operational capabilities
Coordinate customer requirements including specifications, packaging, forecasting, and service expectations
Customer Support Resolve customer concerns quickly and professionally
Maintain clear communication with customers throughout the order lifecycle
Ensure accurate documentation of customer agreements, pricing, and specifications