Business Development Manager

Description

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time Salaried

Reports To: President

Location: Remote / Flexible (travel required)

Travel: Regular domestic travel to trade shows, customer sites, and industry events

POSITION SUMMARY

Fraction Freeze-Dried is a startup bringing American-raised trout to the pet food industry through premium freeze-dried protein ingredients and finished products. We are building something new in the market and need a Business Development Manager to open doors, build relationships, and drive B2B revenue.

In this role, you will sell freeze-dried protein ingredients to pet food manufacturers, co-packers, and brand partners. You will also grow the value of our fresh and frozen trout offerings by developing new B2B channels and positioning American Trout as a differentiated, premium protein in the pet industry. This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape go-to-market strategy, establish key accounts, and build the sales function from the ground up as the company scales.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

B2B Sales & Revenue Growth

• Identify, prospect, and close B2B sales opportunities for freeze-dried protein ingredients and fresh/frozen trout products
• Build and manage a pipeline of pet food manufacturers, co-packers, private label brands, and ingredient distributors
• Develop and execute account strategies for key targets, from initial outreach through contract negotiation and ongoing account management
• Drive revenue growth by expanding existing accounts and continuously developing new business
• Prepare and deliver compelling sales presentations, product samples, and proposals tailored to each prospect
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and supply agreements in coordination with the President

Market Development & Strategy

• Launch and position American Trout as a differentiated, premium protein source in the pet food industry
• Develop go-to-market strategies for freeze-dried ingredients and fresh/frozen trout across B2B channels
• Research market trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs to identify new opportunities and inform product development
• Build the Fraction brand presence in the pet industry through strategic partnerships, trade associations, and thought leadership
• Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to inform production planning, product development, and pricing strategy

Trade Shows & Industry Engagement

• Represent Fraction at pet industry trade shows, conferences, and networking events (e.g., SuperZoo, Global Pet Expo, Pet Food Forum)
• Plan and execute trade show strategy including booth presence, meeting scheduling, sample preparation, and post-show follow-up
• Build and maintain relationships with industry contacts, trade organizations, and potential channel partners

Sales Operations & Reporting

• Maintain accurate CRM records of all prospects, accounts, activities, and pipeline status
• Track and report on sales metrics, pipeline health, and revenue forecasts to the President
• Coordinate with production and operations teams to ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately and on time
• Develop and refine sales collateral, pricing sheets, product spec sheets, and presentation materials

General

• Travel regularly to meet with customers, attend industry events, and visit production facilities
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, and leadership to align sales efforts with operational capabilities
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the growth of the business

Requirements

COMPETENCIES

• Hunter mentality with a proven ability to prospect, pitch, and close B2B deals
• Strong relationship builder who earns trust with customers and partners
• Strategic thinker who can translate market opportunities into actionable sales plans
• Self-starter who thrives working independently in a startup with minimal structure
• Excellent verbal and written communicator with strong presentation skills
• Organized and disciplined with CRM and pipeline management
• Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by building something from scratch

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a remote/flexible position with regular travel to customer sites, trade shows, and Fraction facilities. When visiting production facilities, the environment includes exposure to varying temperatures, wet conditions, and moderate noise levels.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to travel domestically on a regular basis, includin