Vice President, Business Development In-Home

The Vice President of Business Development, In-Home is responsible for leading and evolving Melitta North America’s commercial strategy for the branded and private label in-home portfolio. This executive role drives sustainable revenue growth, channel expansion, customer engagement, and category leadership across all national trade channels.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, this leader aligns business development execution with the company’s broader strategic goals and long-term vision. The VP oversees all in-home commercial activity, including direct business development teams, external brokers, and key account relationships, while playing a central role in new product commercialization, private label development, trade investment, and market expansion.

1. Strategic Growth & Business Development Leadership

• Develop and execute a national business development strategy for branded and private label in-home products aligned with corporate objectives and long-term growth plans.
• Identify and pursue new category growth opportunities, including new product platforms, and channel expansion.
• Lead annual planning, forecasting, and budget management with a focus on performance optimization and ROI.
• Contribute to the overall business strategy of Melitta North America and represent sales priorities in executive decision-making.

2. Sales Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing business development organization, including internal teams and an external broker network.
• Establish performance metrics, drive accountability, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and results.
• Attract and retain top sales talent while building succession pipelines for critical roles.

3. Key Account & Channel Management

• Build and maintain strong executive-level relationships with key national and regional retail customers across mass, club, grocery, drug, dollar, and e-commerce channels.
• Support National Account Managers with strategic planning, customer negotiations, and execution of promotional programs.
• Provide ongoing reporting to executive leadership on account performance, risks, emerging opportunities, and retailer-specific initiatives.

4. Product Commercialization & Portfolio Execution

• Oversee successful go-to-market execution for new branded and private label product launches, ensuring speed, quality, and market readiness.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Operations, and Finance to synchronize planning, capacity, cost structures, and promotional alignment.
• Ensure accurate forecasting, demand planning, and alignment on customer expectations for both branded and private label programs.

5. Market, Consumer & Competitive Intelligence

• Monitor industry trends, retailer behaviors, regulatory changes, and competitive activity to make informed business decisions.
• Use data-driven insights to guide pricing strategy, portfolio decisions, innovation priorities, and category strategy.

6. Retail Execution & Brand Presence

• Oversee retail execution programs—including proprietary tools, planogram compliance, and in-store condition monitoring.
• Ensure merchandising excellence, brand visibility, and optimal placement of branded products.

7. Trade Investment & Financial Management

• Develop and manage trade investment frameworks that support customer growth while protecting margin and profitability.
• Monitor promotional program performance, refine investment strategies, and ensure disciplined budget stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls and deliver accurate, timely business forecasts.

8. Industry Representation & Customer Advocacy

• Serve as a senior ambassador for Melitta North America at trade shows, industry events, and key customer forums.
• Build strong partnerships across the industry to expand Melitta’s footprint within the paper category.
• Strengthen the company’s presence, credibility, and category leadership through active engagement and thought leadership.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field required; MBA preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 8 years of progressive sales leadership experience, with a proven track record of leading high-impact teams and delivering growth. Experience in CPG, retail, or food/beverage industries preferred.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to inspire, lead, and scale sales teams in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Strategic Acumen: Strong business and financial acumen with expertise in trade marketing, P&L ownership, and strategic planning.
• Analytical & Tech Skills: Proficient in CRM systems, sales analytics platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite, SAP experience a plus.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel extensively (75% ) to maintain a visible and hands-on leadership style across markets and teams.

Additional Details

This position is based at Melitta North America’s Clearwater HQ and reports directly to the President/CEO. It is a pivotal leadership role shaping the future direction of the in-home business unit, driving commercial success, and supporting innovation across the organization.