New Business Development Manager in Kitchener

The Company: Our Client is a farmer operated hog processing company that has won awards as a top managed company in Canada on multiple occasions. Their dedication to quality and food safety is evident at every stage of production. Their hogs are raised in accordance with the rigorous standards of the Canadian Quality Assurance (CQA) Program established by the Canadian Pork Council. They are also proud members of Ontario Pork, Canada Meat Council (CMC), CPI, OPIC, and OIMP.

The Opportunity: This role primarily involves identifying and pursuing new business opportunities by analyzing market data, customer trends, and industry insights within North America. It includes developing and negotiating business deals, nurturing new accounts, and representing the company at industry events to expand the customer base. Additionally, the position supports strategic initiatives through collaboration with Sales and Product Management teams, while providing competitive market intelligence.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Analyze market data/insights, customer/industry trends, and internal metrics to identify optimal customer segments, product offerings, and market opportunities.
• Identify trending market opportunities and ideas for potential growth opportunities by contacting potential partners, and exploring win/win opportunities by researching industry and related events, publications, and announcements as well as networking throughout the industry.
• Review potential business deals by analyzing market strategies, deal requirements, potential returns, and projected financials.
• Develop negotiating strategies and positions by studying integration of new venture with company strategies and operations; examining risks and potentials and estimating partners' needs and goals.
• Close new business deals by solution selling, developing and negotiating contracts and integrating contract requirements with business operations.
• Conduct and/or support business reviews as required to discuss future product plans, team performance, and new product/program opportunities.
• Participate in department meetings and industry conferences to develop strategies, and actively pursue innovative products/processes, and packaging ideas.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Sales Operations and the Director of Product Management through structured analysis by product, customer, and market segment to identify and align on opportunities.
• Assist the Director of Sales Operations in developing and executing annual business plans that will support Conestoga Meats’ overall goals.
• Provide timely, accurate, competitive pricing and market intelligence to support Product Management’s decision making.
• Manage expenses within approved budget parameters.
• Represent Company at trade shows and industry meetings as required.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Nurture new accounts with plan to transition to Domestic Sales team.
• Coverage and support for other Sales Managers when required.
• Ensure mentorship, delegation, and coaching to direct report(s).
• Develop processes to ensure leads are managed systematically using appropriate tools within the CRM.

Qualifications & Key Competencies:

• Minimum 5+ years of sales experience.
• University degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising or equivalent.
• Financial skills in order to prepare budgets, cost standards, analyze variances, etc.
• Experience working in the fresh protein/disassembly industry preferred.
• Strong understanding of customer and market dynamics.
• Excellent prospecting and relationship building skills.
• Willingness to travel.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple projects at the same time with limited supervision, excellent planning, time management and decision-making skills.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to tailor communication to audience, mediate and facilitate communications between others.
• Must have ability to gain buy-in from stakeholders on complex issues.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and assume responsibility for decisions.
• High energy team builder with leadership skills, committed to continuous improvement.
• Maintain excellent communication and relationships with others; be a team player; maintain a positive attitude, and work collaboratively cross functionally.

Key Competencies:

• Service Excellence: Appropriately consults with other departments prior to making decisions that impact the customer experience. Actively looks for opportunities to enhance the customer experience. Works closely with customers and have a good understanding of their needs building trust over time by consistently meeting their expectations.
• Accountability and Initiative: Promotes initiative and stepping up to take calculated risks, within guidelines when tough calls need to be made. Guarantees the on-time delivery of products and services with absolute quality and safety for their team. Monitors employees to ensure that standards, policies, and regulations are being followed, and steps in to adjust when necessary to help them stay on track (e.g., provides coaching and training).
• Communicating with Clarity: Provides further explanation behind messages, updates, and news items. When presenting, repeats important messages and reinforces key points with examples to make it more relevant to the audience. Proactively meets with the senior leadership team to confirm which messages are to be shared with employees.