Vice President, Business Development


Arden Hills
USD159000 - USD299000
PR/572722_1766506775
Vice President, Business Development

Vice President, Business Development

About Us

A global leader in the food and beverage industry, committed to delivering high-quality, innovative products that delight consumers and inspire healthier lifestyles. With a portfolio of iconic brands and a strong presence across retail, foodservice, and e-commerce channels, they combine deep category expertise with a passion for sustainability and responsible growth. Our culture thrives on collaboration, creativity, and a relentless drive to exceed consumer expectations.

Location: New York, NY
Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer / CEO
Department: Commercial / Growth Strategy


Position Overview

The Vice President of Business Development is a senior executive responsible for driving strategic growth initiatives across the food and beverage portfolio. This role focuses on identifying new market opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, expanding distribution channels, and leading innovation-driven revenue streams. The VP will collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment with corporate objectives and deliver sustainable, profitable growth.


Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth & Market Expansion

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy aligned with corporate goals.
  • Identify emerging trends, consumer insights, and whitespace opportunities in food & beverage categories.
  • Lead market entry strategies for new geographies, channels (e.g., retail, foodservice, e-commerce), and product lines.

Partnerships & Alliances

  • Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, including retailers, distributors, co-manufacturers, and strategic partners.
  • Negotiate and structure joint ventures, licensing agreements, and strategic alliances to accelerate growth.
  • Evaluate M&A opportunities and lead due diligence processes in collaboration with Finance and Legal.

Innovation & Commercialization

  • Partner with R&D and Marketing to bring new products to market, ensuring alignment with consumer trends and profitability targets.
  • Drive commercialization strategies for new product launches and category expansions.

Revenue & Profitability

  • Set and achieve aggressive revenue and margin targets through strategic initiatives.
  • Monitor performance metrics and adjust strategies to optimize ROI and market share.

Leadership & Team Development

  • Build and lead a high-performing business development team.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Mentor emerging leaders and ensure succession planning within the department.

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field required.
  • MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Experience

  • Minimum 15+ years of progressive experience in business development, sales strategy, or corporate development within the food & beverage industry.
  • Proven track record of delivering revenue growth through strategic partnerships, market expansion, and innovation.
  • Experience leading M&A evaluations and integrations is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills with ability to translate insights into actionable plans.
  • Exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills.
  • Deep understanding of food & beverage market dynamics, consumer trends, and retail landscapes.
  • Financial acumen with experience managing P&L and investment decisions.
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills; ability to influence at all organizational levels.

Performance Metrics

  • Revenue growth from new business initiatives.
  • Successful execution of strategic partnerships and alliances.
  • Market share gains in targeted categories and channels.
  • ROI on innovation and commercialization projects.
  • Team engagement and leadership effectiveness.

Why Join Us

As VP of Business Development, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a top-tier food & beverage company. This is an opportunity to lead transformative growth initiatives, work with iconic brands, and drive innovation in a dynamic, consumer-driven industry.

FAQs

Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.

Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.

We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business. 

That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created. 

Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your CV to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.