Sales and Business Development SME Job Arcadia area,California USA,Sales

The Fountain Group is currently seeking a
Sales/Business Development Manager
for a prominent clientofours.

This position is
remote.Details for the position are as follows:

Sales/Business Development Manager – Thermal Processing
Salary:$150,000 – $200,000 per year base salary + commission

Location:

Remote (U.S. – East Coast preferred; proximity to a major airport required) - ASAP start
Travel:~30%Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Business Development Managerto lead the commercial growth of a newly launched thermal processing platform within a value-added food production environment.
This individual will be responsible for identifying, developing, and closing new business opportunities across retail, food service, ingredient manufacturing, and CPG channels. The role requires a blend of strong sales expertise, technical understanding of food processing, and the ability to build a business from the ground up.
This is a high-impact, greenfield opportunity ideal for someone who thrives in building new revenue streams, developing customer relationships, and commercializing innovative food solutions.

Key Responsibilities 1. Business Development & Revenue Growth

Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for thermal processing capabilities
Identify and secure new customers across CPG, food service, and retail channels
Build and manage a robust pipeline from prospecting through commercialization
Expand existing customer relationships into value-added processed categories
Lead pricing strategy, contract negotiations, and margin optimization
Drive forecasting and revenue planning

2. Technical & Solution-Based Selling

Develop a strong understanding of thermal processing capabilities (e.g., pasteurization, cooking, shelf-stable applications)
Translate manufacturing capabilities into customer-focused solutions
Partner with operations and R&D teams to assess feasibility, costing, and timelines
Present differentiated solutions to meet customer product development needs
Address technical and commercial challenges throughout the sales cycle

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Act as the liaison between Sales, Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain
Ensure smooth transition from concept to commercialization
Collaborate with marketing and channel leaders to align go-to-market efforts
Provide insights on market trends, customer needs, and competitive positioning

4. Market Intelligence & Innovation

Monitor trends in shelf-stable foods, sauces, salsas, and plant-based categories
Identify white-space opportunities for new product development
Evaluate competitive landscape including contract manufacturers and food processors
Contribute to long-term growth strategy for the processing platform

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required
10–15+ years of total professional experience, with 6+ years in food/CPG sales
Proven success in business development and new account acquisition
Experience in food manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or product development
Strong understanding of food production environments and food safety standards
Ability to translate technical manufacturing capabilities into commercial value
Demonstrated experience taking products from concept to commercialization
Strong negotiation, forecasting, and pipeline management skills
Proficiency with CRM, ERP systems, and Microsoft 365
Willingness to travel up to 30%

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in thermal processing, co-packing, or shelf-stable food production
Background in produce, fresh foods, or value-added food categories (salsa experience a plus)
Existing relationships within retail grocery, food service, or CPG sectors
Experience launching new product lines or building new business platforms
Exposure to marketing strategy and go-to-market execution

Ke…