Director of Business Development/Contracts- Food Manufacturing

About LiDestri Food and Drink

LiDestri Food and Drink has grown from our roots as a pasta sauce and salsa manufacturer to become an R&D engine, formulating and producing innovative food and beverage products for our national and retailer brand partners. A family-run company based in Rochester, NY, LiDestri employs over 1,200 people across five U.S. locations. We have decades-long partnerships with some of the most respected consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and the most highly inventive retailer brands. 

 Excellent Pay and Benefits:

• Great career-pathing 
• Professional development, including unlimited online training courses
• Health insurance with premium contributions
• Dental, vision, HSA
• 100% company paid life insurance and long-term disability
• 401k – with employer match
• Paid time off to include- vacation, sick pay, wellness time off, and 10 holidays
• Company bonuses
• And many more….

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The position will be responsible for investigating new leads, recommending strategy, directing product development, building strategic collaborations, and delivering both new and existing customer contracts and sales revenue for the contract manufacturing team.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Gathers market and potential-customer intelligence across a wide range of possible applications and develops leads for new partners
• Assesses feasibility, cost and value of producing targeted products to assess value creation potential
• Monitors the competitive environment, identifies alternate product & services value propositions
• Develops and recommends strategy and business case for targeted products
• Secures strategic collaborations for products
• Guides ongoing product development to increase volume for new and existing customers
• Concludes sales contracts that capture high value and position for sales expansion
• Is accountable for revenue growth, develops and implements Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
• Maintains strong relationships with strategic internal and external accounts
• Manages new and existing customers, in conjunction with Contract Manufacturing Managers
• Conducts ongoing business development, seeking higher value-added products and solutions
• Identify key contacts, organizations, technical institutions and associations in the market
• Seeks opportunities for margin growth and cost reduction with existing customers
• Ensures close partnerships and alignment with key functional groups such as Supply Chain, Product Management, Quality, R&D, and Product Management
• Coach, mentor and develop staff, including preparing and conducting employee performance appraisal
• Maintain employee work schedules including timecard approval, work assignments, job rotation, training, vacations and paid time off
• Report food safety & quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Business or related field with 10-12 years’ of experience in contract manufacturing management and selling
• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a Role Model Leader, including at least 3 years of experience as a senior departmental leader in a manufacturing environment;
• Experience must include proven success in managing products and systems in a cross-functional and cross-cultural environment
• Must be able to lead and influence in ways that demonstrate a clear passion for optimizing the customer experience and eliminating waste
• Comprehensive experience with a wide range of products and manufacturing methods
• Must understand the idea on which products are based, and the manufacturing issues involved in achieving high-quality, low-cost product
• Broad knowledge of multi-functional, multi-site, global organizational processes and financial business methods
• Ability to drive strategic thinking and cope with constant change and growth
• Must display a “customer first” attitude and be able to utilize the appropriate resources to assist in resolving any and all customer issues
• Some overnight travel required to customer and plant locations within the U.S, typically -20% of time

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to:

• Long periods of standing/moving, working around moving mechanical parts/conveyors
• Loud environment, hot/cold, wet/dry conditions
• Lifting/carrying <50 pounds
• Frequent reaching/pulling/climbing stairs/stooping/kneeling/bending

Employee Value Proposition 

Our purpose and our promise is to actively nourish at every touchpoint; this starts with nourishing our workforce and extends to nourishing our many communities. We provide a safe and respectful environment, meaningful careers, awesome benefits, a world class wellness program… all of which inspire unity and collaboration amongst our LiDestri “family”

DISCLAIMER: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities.  The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.

#IND