Sales and Business Development SME

The Fountain Group is currently seeking a Sales/Business Development Manager for a prominent client of ours. This position is remote. Details for the position are as follows:

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%

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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%

• 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

• Strategic &Consultative Selling
• Technical Acumen (Food Processing/Manufacturing)
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Negotiation & Margin Management
• Market Development & Customer Acquisition
• Executive Presence

• New revenue generated
• Gross margin performance
• New customer acquisition
• Pipeline growth and conversion rates
• Product commercialization timelines
• Customer retention and expansion

This role offers the opportunity to build and scale a new business platform within a growing segment of the food industry. You will play a critical role in shaping strategy, driving innovation, and delivering high-impact commercial results in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

• Round 1:
  Virtual interview
• Round 2:
  Panel interview
• Round 3:
  Onsite interview

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