Director, Business Development

KeHE Distributors; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Rx

401(k)

Employee stock ownership (ESOP)

Job summary

KeHE Distributors is seeking a Director of Business Development to significantly grow the business with new accounts. This role requires a strong sales acumen and the ability to manage major pursuits in targeted retail accounts.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, at least 8 years of sales experience, and a proven track record in business development. Benefits start on Day 1 and include health coverage, 401(k), and employee stock ownership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in sales, grocery retailing and merchandising.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in new Business Development.
• Strong understanding of delivering on the needs and preferences of retailers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to grow KeHE’s business.
• Develop and execute strategies for new customers.
• Attend trade shows to build relationships and surface new leads.

Skills

Strong sales acumen

Leadership skills

Contract negotiations

Competitive spirit

Client relationship building

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Business, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Overview

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others - and it all starts with you. As an employee‑owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Primary Responsibilities

The Director of Business Development is responsible for significantly growing KeHE’s business with new accounts. This key growth leader will work with the KeHE cross‑functional teams to drive new sales growth by cultivating, managing, and closing major pursuits in targeted retail accounts. Enablers of success in this hunter‑oriented position include strong sales acumen, a high level of competitiveness, ability to build and leverage relationships with retailers, suppliers and brokers, strong leadership skills and process orientation. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal leaders of KeHE’s sales channels to build and execute strategies for growing KeHE’s Grocery, Fresh and Exclusive Brands businesses with new customers.
• Operate within established budget expectations of the company.
• Develop and maintain a high degree of insight into competitors’ strategies and programs.
• Attend professional meetings, trade shows and seminars to build relationships and surface new sales leads.
• Implement and report on established business development processes to ensure consistency, documentation, and compliance.
• Develop effective correspondence, proposals, and presentations for potential customers, highlighting the value proposition and benefits of our products and services.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand into new markets or geographic regions, leveraging existing relationships and strategic partnerships.
• Develop market entry strategies and execute plans to penetrate new markets and acquire new clients.
• Maintain safe work practices.
• Maintain safeguards of confidential company information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong desire and ability to deliver results.
• Proven track record and experience in contract negotiations of multi‑million dollar deals.
• Possess a competitive spirit that is not easily discouraged or daunted, and the perseverance to work around obstacles and find ways to win.
• Willing to work significant hours each week with a minimum of administrative support, including approximately 30% overnight travel.
• Strong understanding of delivering on the needs and preferences of retailers.
• Tendency to challenge the status quo to drive change.
• Possesses natural leadership qualities, evidenced by a bias for action and the ability to influence people.
• A comfort level with rigorous relational and analytical demands of working with customers and internal stakeholders on complex financial and technical business issues.
• The ability to engage clients persuasively through dialogue that seeks to first understand clients’ perspectives, teach them something about their business that they don’t already know and tailor KeHE capabilities to their specific situation.
• A proven track record of strong customer prospecting and industry contacts.
• The ability to understand what senior‑level decision‑makers value and the confidence to engage executives in ways that demonstrate big‑picture insight, expertise, vision, and confidentiality.
• The ability to establish credibility and connection leading to a desire by client and internal contacts to pursue long‑term, mutually supportive relationships.
• The ability to understand and analyze client and KeHE financial statements and link analyses to a compelling financial case for KeHE services.
• The ability to position KeHE capabilities and offers in a competitively advantageous light.
• The ability to efficiently manage the administrative requirements of the role and develop and complete timely, accurate reports as required by management.
• Drive and desire for significance through service to others.
• Ability to speak, write and present ideas, plans, and information both verbal and written in a persuasive and compelling manner to all levels of management and external customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Power BI.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

Benefits

• Benefits on Day 1
• Health/Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Business, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in sales, grocery retailing and merchandising is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in new Business Development with a track record of success.

Physical Requirements

• These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.