Business Development & Specialty Services Manager

Ippolito Group; Burlington; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading produce company is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive sales and strategy for their Specialty Services Division. The role focuses on offshore citrus and perishables, requiring proven experience in the industry, strong negotiation skills, and a strategic mindset. Join a team that values tradition and innovation, and make a meaningful impact in the produce sector.

Benefits

Health and dental benefits

Industry-leading mental health benefits

RRSP matching plan

Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Qualifications

• Proven experience in the produce industry, especially offshore citrus and perishables.
• Strong background in sales pipeline management and market analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead growth efforts in citrus and Specialty Services including repack, bagging, and ripening.
• Develop and execute business strategies that support perishable and offshore import programs.
• Build strong relationships with retailers, wholesalers, and supply chain partners.

Skills

Negotiating

Communication

Organizational Skills

Market Analysis

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM Systems

Job description

Business Development & Specialty Services Manager

Job Description

Posted Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 4:00 AM

Who We Are:

Ippolito Fruit & Produce Ltd. started as a small family operation and, over the last 80+ years has grown into one of Canada’s leading produce companies — still proudly family-owned and operated into its third generation.

Our success has been built on the values that started it all: hard work, strong relationships, and always putting people first. Today, we continue to grow by staying grounded in our roots while embracing innovation. Our team is the heart of our success — and we’re looking for passionate people to grow with us.

Why Work With Us?

Open-door policy and a culture of two-way communication
Career advancement opportunities and mentorship
Supportive workplace culture with amazing coworkers
Health, dental, and industry-leading mental health benefits
RRSP matching plan to help you invest in your future
Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

About the Role:

We’re seeking an experienced and results-driven Business Development Manager to lead sales and strategy for our Specialty Services Division — a key part of our operation that includes bagging, repacking, ripening, icing, regrading, cross-docking, reclamation, and SQF-certified storage.

This role is vital in supporting our offshore, citrus and perishable product programs, which are cornerstones of Ippolito’s business. As such, experience in offshore citrus and other fresh produce/perishables is required.

You’ll build new partnerships, expand our reach, and drive strategic growth in this fast-moving, high-impact sector of our business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead growth efforts in citrus and Specialty Services including repack, bagging, and ripening
• Develop and execute business strategies that support perishable and offshore import programs
• Build strong relationships with retailers, wholesalers, and supply chain partners
• Identify new opportunities, generate leads, and convert prospects into long-term customers
• Structure competitive deals and pricing strategies based on market analysis and margin goals
• Represent Ippolito at customer meetings, industry events, and trade shows
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on product development, logistics, and customer solutions
• Report on sales metrics and pipeline health; contribute to strategy and forecasting

What You Bring to the Table:

Proven experience in the produce industry, with a strong background in offshore citrus and perishables
A strategic mindset with a passion for growing business and finding new opportunities
Strong negotiating skills and confidence in pricing and margin structures
Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to leadership
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Experience with RFPs, sales pipeline management, and market analysis
Comfort with Microsoft Office and CRM systems
Willingness and ability to travel across Canada and internationally (approx. 25%)

Join a company that believes in tradition, invests in its people, and leads with purpose.
If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in produce and drive real results, we’d love to meet you.

At the Ippolito Group, we are committed to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that every individual has unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives to offer, and we actively seek to create an environment where all employees, job applicants, and stakeholders feel valued, respected, and empowered.

As a job applicant, we encourage you to be your authentic self throughout the application process. Should you require any accommodations please let your recruiter know. Your unique experiences and perspectives are valuable to us and contribute to our collective success. We welcome your questions, feedback, and suggestions as we continue to grow and improve our equity and inclusion initiatives.