Director of Business Development

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like ®, ®, and ®. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

The Director of Business Development is a key sales management position accountable for driving company revenue and new sales program implementation within the assigned accounts. The ideal candidate is a goal-oriented, customer and growth focused individual who can quickly establish internal and external relationships and propel the assigned accounts forward. This position requires well-balanced leader that is adept at driving results through collaboration, market focus and is excellent at building customer relationships. The role will work closely with cross-functional teams on overseeing and launching new items and servicing customers.

Responsibilities:

• Manages key customer relationships and accounts to achieve and exceed all volume and profit goals.
• Identifies new customers to grow the Aspire Bakeries business
• Serves as expert on assigned customers and develops strategic customer plans that align with company goals and objectives.
• Collaborates with Vice President of Customer Development on strategy, targets, key growth initiatives, tactics, and action plans for the assigned accounts.
• Manages sales forecasts and budgets to achieve established goals and to deliver profitable growth for assigned accounts.
• Provides leadership and tactical direction to internal company departments to achieve outlined performance objectives.
• Leads & participates in presentations, negotiations, sales meetings, and trade shows with key external & internal stakeholders.
• Ensures customer satisfaction and develops lasting relationships with customers to ensure the attainment of all key metrics to drive profitability.
• Identifies and evaluates new markets, partners, channels and business opportunities and presents it to Customer Development leadership team.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree required.
• 5-7 years min. of retail sales experience in a senior sales role at a manufacturer or distributor.
• CPG/Food experience strongly preferred.
• Bakery technical skills desired but not required.
• Passion for food with experience and an understanding of food trends and flavor profiles
• Demonstrated relationships and ability in customer management within specific account.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, presentation, negotiation, & relationship building abilities.
• Entrepreneurial, strategic, and resourceful individual who is a proven hands-on sales leader that thrives in a team environment.
• Flexible personality and able to regularly transition between high-level, strategic work and detailed, tactical work.
• Must be able to drive a car and travel via plane/train, lift up to 45 lbs.
• Frequent travel within assigned area of business.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.