Business Development Manager, Beverage

MartinBauer North America; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Martin Bauer is seeking a seasoned Business Development Manager to identify and seize growth opportunities within the beverage portfolio. You will develop strategic plans, expand market presence, and build lasting relationships with key customers across the US.

You will collaborate with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Product Management, Operations, and Technical teams to deliver tailored ingredient solutions, manage a robust pipeline, and drive profitable revenue growth in a fast-paced, global

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of B2B sales, with 5+ years in business development selling ingredients or technical solutions to beverage customers.
• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Food Science, or related field.
• Strong strategic, financial acumen, and ability to manage complex customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic growth plans for the beverage segment.
• Drive new business through prospecting, lead gen, and opportunity conversion.
• Maintain CRM records and report progress to leadership.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Operations to deliver value-driven solutions.

Skills

Relationship-building

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM platforms

MS Office

Job description

Martin Bauer is a trusted solutions provider delivering premium botanical, herbal, and tea ingredients for the global food, beverage, and wellness industries. With over 90 years of expertise, we combine innovative technologies, deep botanical knowledge, and responsible sourcing to create high-quality products that promote health and well-being. Our collaborative approach, diverse production processes, and industry-leading quality standards ensure tailored solutions that seamlessly integrate into applications, unlocking the full potential of botanicals to drive brand success.

Position Summary

We are looking for a Business Development Manager, who will be responsible for identifying, developing, and executing strategic growth opportunities within Martin Bauer's beverage portfolio. This role will focus on expanding market presence, acquiring new business, strengthening customer relationships, and driving profitable revenue growth across key market segments.

The successful candidate brings extensive beverage industry knowledge, strong commercial acumen, and a consultative selling approach. This individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Operations, and Technical experts, to create value-driven solutions that help customers achieve their business objectives while supporting Martin Bauer's growth strategy.

This is a new-business-focused role responsible for building a qualified pipeline, converting prospects into customers, and expanding strategic opportunities within existing beverage accounts.

Frequent travel is an essential part of this role, including regular travel to customer sites, Martin Bauer locations, industry events, and trade shows.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth

• Develop and execute strategic growth plans for the beverage market segment aligned with company objectives and financial targets.
• Drive new business development efforts through prospect identification, lead generation, relationship building, and opportunity conversion.
• Deliver agreed-upon sales and profitability goals through the execution of a targeted business development plan.
• Identify and prioritize high-potential customers, categories, and market opportunities that support long-term growth.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build, develop, and maintain strong relationships with key customers and strategic prospects.
• Partner with customers to understand their business strategies, innovation pipelines, and growth objectives.
• Utilize a consultative selling approach to deliver customized ingredient and solution-based recommendations.
• Establish trusted advisor relationships with customer stakeholders across technical, procurement, marketing, and executive functions.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive activity, consumer insights, and emerging beverage categories to identify growth opportunities.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and market dynamics.
• Provide market intelligence and strategic recommendations to support portfolio development and business planning.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Product Management, Operations, and Customer Service teams to develop and execute customer strategies.
• Leverage internal subject matter experts to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional customer experiences.
• Build strong partnerships with colleagues across Martin Bauer's global organization to maximize resources and opportunities.

Performance & Business Planning

• Regularly review sales performance, customer pipelines, and key account opportunities to ensure progress toward objectives.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans where performance gaps exist.
• Maintain accurate and timely customer, opportunity, and activity records within CRM and other company systems.
• Present business development strategies, pipeline updates, and performance results to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Food Science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant B2B sales experience, including at least 5 years of business development experience selling ingredients, flavors, botanicals, or other technical solutions to beverage-industry customers.
• Demonstrated experience developing new business and managing complex customer relationships.
• Experience selling to beverage manufacturers, brand owners, co-manufacturers, or related industries preferred.
• Strong understanding of beverage markets, consumer trends, and competitive dynamics.
• Strategic mindset with a demonstrated ability to develop and execute growth initiatives.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including understanding of revenue, margin, profitability, and cost structures.
• Exceptional relationship-building, influencing, and networking skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to engage and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels, including executive leadership.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience using CRM platforms and sales pipeline management tools preferred.
• Adaptable, self-motivated, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Compensation

The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000, depending on qualifications, experience, skills, and geographic location.

• In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in an annual incentive bonus program and other company-sponsored benefits.