Business Development Associate I

Position Summary:

The Business Development Associate I is responsible for identifying, developing, negotiating, and securing new business relationships for Opaa! Food Management, with a strong focus on growth within Arkansas. This role also supports retention and growth through strategic presentations, relationship-building, and promotion of alternative dining programs.

Essential Functions:

1. Live Opaa!’s Core Values:
2. Act in the best interest of the students, schools, and communities we serve.
3. Be honest in everything we do.
4. Have a passion to serve others.
5. Commit to continuous improvement.
6. Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing clients in the assigned territory.
7. Serve as a key liaison between clients and internal Opaa! departments to ensure needs are met and expectations exceeded.
8. Respond to client questions and concerns, escalating to appropriate team members as needed.
9. Identify and pursue new business opportunities, with a strong focus on growth within the state of Arkansas.
10. Conduct cold calls and follow-ups through in-person visits, phone calls, and emails.
11. Deliver high-impact presentations to school boards and other stakeholders to communicate the value of Opaa!’s programs.
12. Coordinate and conduct feasibility studies for interested prospective clients.
13. Lead prospective clients through the full bid and re-bid process, including RFP creation and bid timeline management.
14. Promote and help sell alternative dining programs tailored to meet the unique needs of schools.
15. Arrange and host food service tours of existing client sites for potential partners.
16. Attend pre-bid meetings and bid openings.
17. Organize and participate in cook meetings to support new client onboarding.
18. Participate in new employee orientations within assigned regions.
19. Coordinate catering events and special functions to support new business and showcase Opaa!’s culinary strengths.
20. Support the Traveling Chef program as a tool for business development and client engagement.
21. Attend and represent Opaa! at key state professional conferences and exhibitions.
22. Attend all Opaa! meetings, as required.
23. Perform other duties as assigned by Opaa! Management.

Marginal Functions: No marginal functions identified

Physical/Visual Activities or Demands: Physical/visual activities or demands that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk, hear, kneel, and sit. Occasionally required to stoop, push, pull, feel, grasp, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must exert over 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or be able to frequently lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 35 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include concentrated attention, close vision, far vision, and ability to bring objects into sharp focus.
• Frequent travel is required.

Working Conditions: Working conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Inside and outside working conditions.
• Frequent travel is required. Overnight travel may be required as dictated by the location of the client. When visiting kitchens:
• Frequently works around moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and extreme heat.
• Occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and extreme cold.
• Noise level is usually loud.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education:       Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Experience:

• 5 – 7 years’ experience in food service operations or business development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially with reports and business correspondence. Able to communicate with people at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office
• Valid Driver’s license and good driving record and must be able to travel approximately 75%

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids that may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position:

• Desktop PCs, Calculator, Telephone, Fax, Scanner, Copier, Printer.

License(s)/Certification(s) Required:   n/a

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

“Commonly associated" is not intended to mean always or only. There are different experiences that suggest other ways or circumstances where reasonable changes or accommodations are appropriate.

All activities, Demands, Conditions and Requirements are linked to Essential Job Functions unless marked with an asterisk, which denotes linkage only to marginal function(s).

Opaa! is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.