Business Development Manager-SW Zone

This accomplished and strategic business development professional will be tasked with penetrating existing business, and driving new business within the region chain, non-commercial, and k12 segments. Establishes, develops, and secures targeted new business by utilizing a proven strategic selling approach, as well as leveraging industry contacts. The ideal candidate has strong foodservice sales experience and understanding. The ideal candidate must live in Texas with close proximity to a major U.S. airport.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Working in close partnership with the Zone Manager, as well as in close collaboration with many cross-functional colleagues
• Understanding that their primary responsibility is to create, build, and then close meaningful business opportunities with prospective customers, consistently maintains a robust pipeline of new business opportunities and understands the importance of working several customer opportunities concurrently; must be able to “juggle many balls” at once.
• Builds expertise in selling CHG’s extensive line of culinary offerings.
• Partners with CHG’s R&D/Culinary/Innovation team for customized customer menu requests.
• Gains deep understanding of CHG’s product line & works to consistently sell higher-margin items.
• Works closely with CHG’s Category Marketing and Insights teams to translate market / consumer information into relevant and actionable insights for customers, helping to differentiate CHG as a partner of choice and enhance our right to win new business.
• Attends and engages prospective customers while attending customer or industry events.
• Works closely with CHG Procurement team to ensure ongoing Commodity knowledge and updates to key customers (e.g., latest trends with wheat, flour, sugar, oils, etc.).
• Plays an active role in drafting new Supply Agreements and Pricing Proposals for customers, in collaboration with CHG’s Revenue Growth Management and Legal teams.
• Whether leveraging contacts or developing new ones, consistently and relentlessly researches and does the required “homework” on the company and key decision-makers before engaging.
• Communicates clearly and directly with multiple inter-company departments, especially Category Marketing/Commercialization Team; other departments include Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Purchasing, Operations, R&D and Culinary.
• Manages projects with R&D and Category Marketing teams to expedite new business development.
• Develops thorough understanding of target customer operational capabilities through direct involvement with Customer R&D and restaurant operations.
• Executes all required administrative work in timely fashion.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Education/Certifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or other related field.
• Culinary or Sales related accreditation a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience selling food across multiple channels (e.g., restaurant chains)
• Experience in Food Manufacturing, and a basic understanding of plant operations, a plus
• Background ideally includes utilization of a CRM (e.g., Salesforce)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficient use of computer, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote), and other related applications or software.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) a must.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• A team player who possesses the ability to develop strong interdepartmental relationships
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of associates and customers ranging from entry level to executive level positions.
• Ability to work with multiple departments including but not limited to Cost Accounting, Operations, Purchasing, R&D, Supply Chain, Legal, Culinary, Quality Assurance, Operations and Information Services, both internally and externally
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, often with competing deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize projects and clearly communicate direction internally and externally.
• Strategic critical thinker who knows how to play “chess,” always thinking a few steps ahead.
• Ability to update and influence internal stakeholders, including company executives.
• The business development team is made up of individuals who maintain a positive/”find a way” mindset, people who “rolls up their sleeves” to help teammates drive customer opportunities. Team members possess agility/adaptability, a relentless pursuit of excellence and results, maintain strong int