Business Development Manager

Strategic Retail Partners; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and floating holidays

Flexible PTO plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Strategic Retail Partners' Aerial Bouquets is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead the full sales cycle with grocery accounts. You will prospect, present, negotiate, and close opportunities focused on balloons and candy gift categories in floral, seasonal, and front-end departments.

Responsibilities include building a pipeline, delivering category presentations, managing RFPs, attending trade shows, and coordinating seasonal campaigns.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of business development, key account management, or sales experience in grocery, general merchandise, or consumer products distribution (balloon/party/gift industry experience a strong plus).
• Proven track record of winning new grocery or mass-retail accounts and managing chain-level buyer relationships.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and category-management skills.
• Comfortable with line reviews, planograms, and retail buying cycles.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and CRM systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Valid driver's license; ability to travel regionally/nationally.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business with grocery retail chains through cold calling and targeted outreach, continuously building a qualified pipeline of prospective accounts.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to grocery buying teams and category managers.
• Negotiate pricing, program terms, and shelf/display placement; manage RFP and bid processes for chain-level opportunities.
• Attend key industry trade shows to represent Aerial Bouquets' product lines to buyers, and follow up on leads generated to convert them into new business.
• Coordinate seasonal and promotional campaigns with prospective buyers to drive incremental sales.
• Monitor the competitive landscape and market trends to inform pricing and product strategy.
• Track pipeline, forecast revenue, and report on new account performance.
• Travel as needed (estimated ~50%) for prospective buyer meetings/presentations, store visits, and trade shows.

Skills

Negotiation

Presentation

Category management

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

The Business Development Manager for Aerial Bouquets, a leading wholesale distributor of balloons & candy gifts in the supermarket industry and a division of Strategic Retail Partners, identifies, pursues, and closes new grocery accounts. This role owns the full sales cycle - prospecting, category presentations, contract negotiation, and post-sale account transition support - with a focus on balloon and candy gift category placement in grocery floral, seasonal, and front-end departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive new business with grocery retail chains through cold calling and targeted outreach, continuously building a qualified pipeline of prospective accounts
• Prepare and deliver presentations to grocery buying teams and category managers
• Negotiate pricing, program terms, and shelf/display placement; manage RFP and bid processes for chain-level opportunities
• Attend key industry trade shows to represent Aerial Bouquets' product lines to buyers, and follow up on leads generated to convert them into new business
• Coordinate seasonal and promotional campaigns (holiday, graduation, back-to-school, etc.) with prospective buyers to drive incremental sales
• Monitor the competitive landscape and market trends to inform pricing and product strategy
• Track pipeline, forecast revenue, and report on new account performance
• Travel as needed (estimated ~50%) for prospective buyer meetings/presentations, store visits, and trade shows

Qualifications/Requirements

• Minimum of three years of business development, key account management, or sales experience in grocery, general merchandise, or consumer products distribution (balloon/party/gift industry experience a strong plus)
• Proven track record of winning new grocery or mass-retail accounts and managing chain-level buyer relationships
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and category-management skills
• Comfortable with line reviews, planograms, and retail buying cycles
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and CRM systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• Valid driver's license; ability to travel regionally/nationally
• Ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred

• Existing relationships with grocery category buyers or general merchandise distributors
• Familiarity with the balloon/party goods category

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company paid short term disability and life insurance
• Paid holidays and floating holidays
• Flexible PTO plan
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran (U.S.) status. The company will provide accommodation to applicants, including those with disabilities, during the recruitment process, in accordance with applicable laws.

The gross base annual salary is $75,000 with an estimated earnings of $150,000 plus an excellent benefits package.