Regional Deli Business Development Manager (Austin, MN preferred

Regional Deli Business Development Manager

The Retail Regional Deli Business Development Manager serves as the primary sales support leader and category expert for Hormel Foods' deli portfolio, including Prepared Deli Foods and Bulk Deli Meats (branded and private label). This role is responsible for driving retail sales growth, enhancing profitability, and ensuring consistent execution of customer strategies by serving as the central link between Sales, customers, and cross-functional business partners.

The position provides strategic category leadership, leads business development and RFP initiatives, supports customer-specific deli programs, and leverages consumer and category insights to identify growth opportunities. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Category Management, Revenue Management, Supply Chain, and Operations, this role coordinates resources, simplifies execution, and helps maximize the effectiveness of trade investments and promotional programs. Success requires strong strategic thinking, business development, category management, financial acumen, cross-functional leadership, communication, and execution skills.

Through dedicated category expertise and disciplined execution, the Regional Deli Business Development Manager strengthens customer relationships, improves organizational alignment, and directly contributes to revenue growth, profitability, and long-term success across the deli business.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary sales support resource and subject matter expert for Prepared Deli Foods and Bulk Deli Meats.
• Identify, develop, and execute growth opportunities with regional and national retail customers.
• Partner with retail sales teams to develop customer-specific strategies that drive category growth, revenue, and profitability.
• Support customer presentations, business reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
• Lead and support Request for Proposal (RFP) responses, coordinating internal resources to ensure timely, competitive submissions.
• Drive execution of customer-specific opportunities from concept through implementation.
• Provide category expertise and strategic guidance across the deli business.
• Analyze consumer, shopper, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities and support joint business planning.
• Translate market trends, competitive intelligence, and category performance data into actionable recommendations.
• Research and evaluate the role of the deli category in driving retailer traffic, sales volume, profitability, and shopper engagement.
• Monitor manufacturer and retailer performance against established category objectives and key performance indicators.
• Partner with customers and internal teams to design and develop prepared foods and deli merchandising programs.
• Recommend assortment, pricing, promotional, and placement strategies that support customer objectives and category growth.
• Support development of innovative category solutions that enhance the customer experience and strengthen competitive positioning.
• Assist in creating compelling value propositions that drive customer adoption and sales growth.
• Coordinate cross-functional resources to streamline execution and improve responsiveness to customer needs.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Category Management, Revenue Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Finance teams to ensure successful program implementation.
• Align internal stakeholders around priorities, timelines, customer commitments, and business objectives.
• Facilitate communication and problem-solving across teams to remove barriers and improve speed to market.
• Support development and execution of promotional programs that align manufacturer investments with retailer category strategies.
• Evaluate promotional effectiveness and return on investment.
• Ensure adequate supply planning and execution to support promotional activity.
• Assist in managing trade spending and customer investments to maximize profitable growth.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, Food Marketing, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in Sales, Category Management, Business Development, Customer Marketing, Retail Merchandizing, or related commercial roles.
• Experience working with retail customers and category-driven selling processes.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to leverage data and insights to influence business decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, presentation, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Self-motivated performer while still being a strong, results driven TEAM player.
• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require sponsorship for a work visa.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Preferred

• 5+ years of experience in Sales, Category Management, Business Development, Customer Marketing, Retail Merchandizing,…