Senior Trade & Investment Lead - Regional Growth

Queensland Government; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Manassen Foods Australia is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive profitable sales growth in the Foodservice channel. You will expand distributor networks, manage relationships with wholesalers and end users, and lead end-user demand across our core brands from Brisbane-based operations.

You will collaborate with Marketing, Category, Supply Chain and Finance to deliver territory plans, achieve sales targets and execute new product introductions while maintaining strong customer

Qualifications

• Proven Foodservice sales or business-development experience with distributors, wholesalers and end users.
• Demonstrated success growing an existing customer base, and managing accounts for profitability.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to independently plan and manage a territory, prioritise opportunities and deliver objectives and KPIs.
• Ability to collect, analyse and present commercial information to support decisions and action plans.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and work across states while staying hands-on in market execution.
• Current driver’s licence; a relevant business, sales or marketing qualification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute the state Foodservice sales strategy and develop territory and customer plans for key trading partners.
• Deliver sales, gross margin, contribution and distribution objectives while controlling trade and promotional spend.
• Manage and grow relationships with foodservice distributors and wholesalers, including planning, promotions, and account reviews.
• Build relationships with contract caterers, hospitality groups, chefs and end users to generate demand and pull inventory.
• Establish and maintain a structured call plan identifying monthly, quarterly and annual sales opportunities.
• Win new customers and secure incremental ranging, menu placement, distribution and repeat purchase.
• Develop and deliver new-line presentations, product demonstrations and commercial proposals communicating value.
• Execute NPD launches and range extensions coordinating distributor readiness and end-user activation.
• Maintain forecasts, CRM records, opportunity pipelines and clear next actions.
• Provide market insights and work cross-functionally with Marketing, Category, Supply Chain and Finance.

Skills

Foodservice sales

Distributor management

Territory planning

Negotiation

CRM & MS Office

Education

Business/sales/marketing qualification

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Business development role in a fast-paced FMCG business

• Be part of the growth of our Foodservice channel

Brisbane-based, working closely with the national Foodservice team

Manassen Foods is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers, importers, marketers and distributors of fine food products. Our key Foodservice brands include Tatua, S&W, Sharwood’s, Angas Park and Sunbeam Foods, to name a few.

• Innovative culture: Be part of a forward-thinking company that values initiative and commercial creativity.
• Career growth: Access opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Collaborative environment: Join a supportive national team where contribution and accountability matter.
• Competitive benefits: Enjoy flexible working and a varied employee benefits programme.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting to the National Business Manager - Foodservice, the Business Development Manager plays a critical role in delivering profitable sales and margin growth by expanding distribution, managing foodservice distributors and creating end-user demand that pulls inventory through the supply chain.

• Execute the state Foodservice sales strategy and develop territory and customer plans for key trading partners.
• Deliver agreed sales, gross margin, contribution and distribution objectives while maintaining disciplined control of trade and promotional spend.
• Manage and grow relationships with foodservice distributors and wholesalers, including business planning, ranging, promotions, account reviews, claims, rebates and joint activity.
• Build relationships with contract caterers, hospitality groups, chefs and other end users to generate demand, secure usage and pull inventory through distributor networks.
• Establish and maintain a structured call plan that identifies monthly, quarterly and annual sales opportunities.
• Win new customers and secure incremental ranging, menu placement, distribution, trial and repeat purchase across the core portfolio and new products.
• Develop and deliver new-line presentations, product demonstrations and commercial proposals that clearly communicate customer and end-user value.
• Execute NPD launches and range extensions, coordinating distributor readiness, customer activation and end-user conversion.
• Maintain accurate forecasts, CRM records, opportunity pipelines and customer administration with clear next actions and conversion milestones.
• Provide customer, competitor and market insights, resolve issues promptly and work cross-functionally with Marketing, Category, Supply Chain, Finance and Customer Service.

What you bring

• Proven Foodservice sales or business-development experience, including hands-on engagement with distributors, wholesalers and end users.
• Demonstrated success growing an existing customer base, winning new business and managing accounts for profitable outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to independently plan and manage a territory, prioritise opportunities and consistently deliver objectives and KPIs.
• Sound ability to collect, analyse and present commercial information to support decisions and action plans.
• Clear written, verbal and presentation skills, with practical capability in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and work effectively across states while remaining hands-on in market execution.
• Current driver’s licence. A relevant business, sales or marketing qualification is preferred.

The winning mindset

You will be commercially hungry, competitive and resilient. You take ownership of the territory, actively seek opportunities, create momentum and know how to convert opportunities into sustainable, profitable growth. You think strategically, stay close to the market and follow through on commitments.

Join a collaborative national team and play a key role in expanding our Foodservice channel. You will develop new business, grow established customer relationships and represent a portfolio of well-known food brands.