Associate Business Development Manager

Ocean Spray Cranberries; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Business Development Manager to drive growth in the food and beverage sectors. This role is crucial for expanding the company's ingredient footprint across Europe. The ideal candidate will blend analytical, commercial, and communication skills, collaborating with senior managers and broker partners to develop effective growth strategies. The position offers opportunities for career development within a supportive team environment, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. If you're passionate about making an impact in the food industry, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive health programs

Flexible scheduling

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• 5-8 years in Business Development or related fields.
• Strong business acumen and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Support annual operating plan delivery with brokers.
• Develop and execute broker account business plans.
• Assist in training and motivating broker teams.

Skills

Business Development

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Ocean Spray is hiring for a Associate Business Development Manager, Ingredients! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. As a farmer-owned co-op, everyone contributes to our success, from farmers to corporate team members.

The Associate Business Development Manager (ABDM) supports daily operations and growth initiatives for the region, collaborating with senior leaders and broker partners across Europe. Your role is pivotal in expanding our global ingredient footprint, especially in driving cranberry adoption in the food and beverage sectors. You will develop and execute growth strategies, leveraging market insights and your expertise to inform regional actions and support cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate will possess a blend of analytical, commercial, and communication skills, working closely with UK-based senior managers, US teams, and European broker partners to meet annual goals.

A Day in the Life...

• Support the delivery of the annual operating plan by collaborating with team members and brokers on forecasts, supply contracts, market insights, and new product development.
• Develop and execute broker account business plans, including growth strategies, market segmentation, and tactical activities like pricing and product launches.
• Assist in training and motivating broker teams, tracking progress on volume, pricing, and trade spending.
• Participate in broker review meetings, develop sales tools, and support long-range planning for ingredient sales and market expansion.
• Contribute to marketing and category management programs to support broker growth strategies and internal execution.

Required Qualifications

• 5-8 years in Business Development, Operations, Purchasing, Supply Chain, or Marketing.
• Experience working with sales agents, brokers, or distributors responsible for direct customer interactions.
• Strong business acumen, analytical skills, and organizational capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues and influence teams.
• Ability to work cross-regionally and with diverse cultures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in B2B Food Ingredients or related fields.

Physical & Education Requirements

• Ability to communicate across time zones and work from the UK office or home.
• Willingness to travel and lift moderate weights occasionally.
• Bachelor’s degree required; minimum 5 years of relevant experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, bonuses, flexible scheduling, and career development opportunities.

Who We Are
We are committed to connecting our farms to families, valuing sustainability, integrity, and inclusivity. Our farmers own the cooperative, and we strive to create innovative products that delight consumers and support our grower-owners.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.