Strategic Business Development Manager

Kayem Foods, Inc.; Chelsea (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health savings accounts (HSA)

401(k) retirement plan with matching

Life insurance

Paid time off

Company holidays

Education Reimbursement (eligible)

Job summary

Kayem Foods, Inc. Strategic Business Development Manager for Food Service is sought to drive growth across distributor networks, healthcare systems, colleges, and venues.

You will lead initiatives, build executive relationships, present solutions, and develop annual plans that drive profitable expansion. The ideal candidate has 7+ years in food service sales or business development, strong contract and procurement knowledge, and a proven ability to convert opportunities into sustained long‑term

Qualifications

• 7+ years in food service sales or business development.
• BA/BS or combination of education and experience.
• Proven success navigating distributor organizations.
• Experience securing product specifications and menu placements.
• Strong understanding of contract management and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop opportunities with distributors and food service operators.
• Lead customer presentations, reviews, and culinary ideation sessions.
• Develop annual growth plans and collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Finance, and leadership.
• Build executive-level relationships with decision-makers.

Skills

BD experience

BA/BS degree

Distributor navigation

Contract management

GPO knowledge

Procurement know-how

Menu placement

Strategic selling

Education

BA/BS or combination of education and experience

Job description

Strategic Business Development Manager – Food Service

Kayem Foods is a family‑owned food company that has been crafting premium meat products for over 100 years. Today, we are the largest meat processor in New England, trusted by home cooks, grill masters, chefs, restaurants, educational, sporting, and healthcare organizations and iconic venues alike—including Fenway Park, home of the Fenway Frank.

About the Job

Help lead the next phase of growth for a brand built for what matters most.

Our Kayem and al Fresco brands sit at the heart of our business. As the #1 franks brand in New England and the official hot dog of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and New England Patriots. Our Brands represent quality, tradition, and regional pride. Our portfolio spans bacon, cooked and ready to cook chicken, pork, and beef sausages, slow-cooked meats, and deli products, and franks—making Kayem a powerhouse across multiple categories and consumption occasions.

As we continue to grow and evolve, we’re looking for a Strategic Business Development Manager for our Food Service division who is passionate, highly connected and has a proven ability to navigate distributor organizations and has a strong financial acumen and the ability to evaluate opportunities that enable Kayem to serve and build long term relationships.

What You’ll Do:

You’ll identify, develop, convert and execute opportunities with Distributors, Food service organizations, healthcare systems, colleges and universities, sports and entertainment venues and regional chain operators.

You’ll develop and execute growth strategies and build executive level relationships with key decision makers with contracts groups, operators, distributors and purchasing organizations to deliver meal solutions that support their goals by leading customer presentations, business reviews, product demonstrations, culinary ideation sessions and strategic planning meetings. You’ll also Develop annual plans that deliver profitable growth. And You’ll collaborate closely with R&D, Marketing, Finance, and the senior leadership team contributing to key strategic business planning, innovation and decisions.

Who You Are:

Someone who is a hunter and builder and takes ownership.

• 7+ years of food service sales, business development, category management, procurement, or operator leadership experience.
• BA/BS or combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success winning business with organizations such as Aramark, Compass Group, Sodexo, Delaware North, Levy, healthcare systems, C&U, or large hospitality groups.
• Proven ability to navigate distributor organizations including Sysco, US Foods, PFG, Gordon Food Service, and regional broad liners.
• Experience securing product specifications, menu placements, and purchasing approvals. Specifically with local Health Care e.g. MGH.
• Strong understanding of GPOs, contract management, foodservice procurement, and distributor economics. Specifically in the Hotel industry.
• Experience with proteins, prepared foods, breakfast, deli, or center-of-plate categories preferred.
• Comfortable opening doors and creating opportunities where none exist.
• Understands how operators make purchasing decisions.
• Can connect distributor strategy, operator needs, and company objectives into one growth plan.
• Thinks beyond individual accounts and focuses on scalable business development.
• Operates with urgency, accountability, and a long‑term partnership mindset.

Salary & Benefits:

The base salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000. An employee’s rate of pay within the range is determined by their qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated performance over time.

• Healthcare insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• heath savings accounts (HSA)
• 401(k) retirement plan with matching
• life insurance
• paid time off
• company holidays
• Education Reimbursement (eligible after 6 months of continuous employment and up to $3,000 for career development)