New Business Developer

Regional New Business Developer

📍 Location: Little Canada, MN, US

🏢 Industry: Food and Beverage Services

💼 Work Setting: Hybrid

Are you a results-driven sales and business development professional with a passion for foodservice, relationship building, and market expansion?

We are seeking a Regional New Business Development Manager to drive revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities, developing strategic sales initiatives, and expanding market share across foodservice and retail segments. This role serves as a strategic partner to sales leadership, leveraging market intelligence, customer insights, and industry relationships to secure new accounts and support long-term business growth.

The ideal candidate combines strong consultative selling skills, foodservice industry knowledge, strategic thinking, and the ability to build lasting customer partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth Strategy

• Develop and execute regional business development strategies aligned with organizational growth objectives.
• Identify and pursue new customer opportunities within:
• Foodservice
• Retail
• Local Street Accounts
• Contract Business Segments
• Build sustainable pipelines that generate long-term revenue growth.
• Support annual profit planning initiatives and growth targets.

New Customer Acquisition

• Identify prospective customers through market research, networking, referrals, and industry contacts.
• Lead prospecting efforts from opportunity identification through contract execution.
• Develop customized sales strategies for target accounts.
• Conduct client presentations, product demonstrations, and business reviews.
• Secure new business contracts and successfully transition customers to account management teams.

Strategic Sales Planning

• Utilize market and customer data to identify high-potential sales opportunities.
• Develop sales plans focused on:
• Revenue Growth
• Customer Acquisition
• Market Expansion
• Product Penetration
• Track sales performance and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Drive execution of strategic sales initiatives across multiple operating companies.

Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis

• Monitor foodservice industry trends, customer preferences, and competitive activity.
• Analyze market dynamics to identify growth opportunities.
• Provide recommendations that strengthen competitive positioning.
• Share industry insights with leadership and sales teams.
• Stay informed about emerging customer needs and marketplace developments.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with:
• Restaurant Owners
• Chefs
• Foodservice Operators
• Distributors
• Brokers
• Suppliers
• Industry Partners
• Establish credibility as a trusted business advisor.
• Develop strategic partnerships that support customer acquisition and retention.
• Strengthen relationships through ongoing engagement and service excellence.

Customer Consulting & Solutions Selling

• Apply consultative selling techniques to understand customer challenges and business needs.
• Recommend solutions that improve customer operations and profitability.
• Identify opportunities for:
• Product Expansion
• Additional Services
• Distribution Growth
• Digital Ordering Solutions
• Conduct quality business reviews with existing and prospective customers.

Product & Merchandising Support

• Conduct merchandising and product research to support customer requirements.
• Recommend product assortments and solutions that align with customer goals.
• Provide customer samples and product demonstrations as needed.
• Assist customers in identifying innovative fresh product opportunities.

Customer Engagement & Digital Solutions

• Promote customer adoption of technology and service offerings including:
• Online Ordering Platforms
• Mobile Solutions
• Customer Reporting Tools
• Sales Coordinator Services
• Support digital engagement strategies that enhance customer experience.
• Increase utilization of value-added services and solutions.

CRM & Sales Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of sales activities and opportunities within CRM systems.
• Track:
• Prospecting Activities
• Customer Engagement
• Sales Pipeline
• Revenue Forecasts
• Business Development Results
• Prepare sales reports, forecasts, and business updates.
• Monitor progress against sales objectives and performance metrics.

Industry Representation

• Attend:
• Industry Conferences
• Food Shows
• Trade Events
• Networking Functions
• Customer Events
• Represent the company within the foodservice community.
• Gather market intelligence and identify emerging opportunities.
• Build visibility and credibility within the industry.

Training & Team Collaboration

• Participate in ongoing professional development initiatives.
• Support training activities for sales teams as required.
• Share market insights, best practices, and sales strategies with colleagues.
• Collaborate effectively across sales, marketing, and operations teams.

Qualifications

Education

Required

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in:
• Business Administration
• Marketing
• Sales Management
• Hospitality Management
• Related Field

Experience

Required

• 5 years of proven success in new business development within the foodservice industry.
• Demonstrated ability to acquire and grow customer accounts.
• Experience managing complex sales cycles and negotiations.

Preferred

• 5 years of foodservice sales experience.
• 3 years of restaurant management or chef experience.
• Experience working with fresh produce, food distribution, or wholesale foodservice businesses.

Required Skills

Sales & Business Development

• Consultative Selling
• Prospecting
• Territory Development
• Account Acquisition
• Contract Negotiation
• Pipeline Management
• Revenue Growth Strategy

Foodservice Industry Knowledge

• Restaurant Operations
• Food Distribution
• Fresh Produce Industry
• Supply Chain Awareness
• Foodservice Trends

Business & Analytics

• Market Analysis
• Customer Analytics
• Sales Forecasting
• Business Planning
• Performance Measurement

Technology

• Salesforce CRM (Preferred)
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook
• Sales Reporting Tools

Leadership & Communication

• Presentation Skills
• Relationship Building
• Networking
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Stakeholder Management
• Project Management

Core Competencies

• New Business Development
• Foodservice Sales
• Strategic Account Acquisition
• Consultative Selling
• Customer Relationship Management
• Market Expansion
• Sales Strategy
• Contract Negotiation
• Food Distribution
• CRM Management
• Revenue Growth
• Industry Networking
• Customer Consulting
• Territory Management
• Business Planning