Business Development Manager

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Critical Mass Group works with some of the most innovative, exciting brands in the food and beverage space. Our extensive expertise, strategic relationships and relentless execution in sales and distribution provides our unique brands the foundation and pathway for sustainable growth. Our team of experts build outstanding brands.

Job Summary:

The Business Development Manager serves as a key brand ambassador for the Company, responsible for identifying and evaluating potential client partnerships and driving new business revenue. Reporting directly to the EVP of Growth and Strategy, this role collaborates closely with the executive team.

Responsibilities and Duties:

General

• Lead all assigned new client partnership engagements—from initial lead entry and qualification through to delivering compelling presentations and closing deals.
• Vet and qualify leads using the Company's established lead evaluation process.
• Conduct in-depth research to assess partnership potential and align opportunities with appropriate scopes of service.
• Deliver persuasive in-person and/or virtual capabilities presentations tailored to prospective clients.
• Analyze category trends to identify high-value prospects, and employ creative outreach methods to engage key decision-makers.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the current client portfolio and agency capabilities across all business pillars to ensure strategic alignment with new prospects.
• Actively promote the Company’s services, anticipating and addressing client business needs.
• Support the contract creation and negotiation process.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all leads—qualified or unqualified—within the CRM platform.

New Business Development 

• Serve as the primary point of contact and internal champion for all new business opportunities, driving strategic revenue growth in line with company objectives.
• Possess deep knowledge of the Natural Food and Beverage industry and build strong relationships with existing brand partners to uncover and leverage value-add opportunities.
• Collaborate with CMG leadership to generate innovative growth strategies for clients and continuously improve business development efforts.
• Partner with internal teams to enhance overall performance, efficiency, and client satisfaction.
• Represent the Company with a strong understanding of its full range of service offerings.
• Build and maintain meaningful, long-term relationships with potential clients through needs-based conversations.
• Monitor market dynamics and provide regular competitive insights, strategies, and tactical recommendations.
• Collaborate with finance, sales, and marketing teams to develop compelling messaging, pricing strategies, and business models.
• Regularly assess and manage the revenue pipeline and lead flow to ensure scalable and sustainable growth.

New Business Reporting 

• Prepare and present data-driven reports and metrics that provide leadership with clear visibility into business development activities and pipeline health.
• Maintain strong communication with internal leadership to ensure seamless tracking and management of growth initiatives.
• Work closely with management to gather business requirements and deliver insights through reporting tools that reveal trends, patterns, and actionable anomalies.

Miscellaneous 

• Demonstrate a passion for all of the Company’s products.
• Embrace our brand image and model the Company’s cultures, values, and behavior – always represents the Company in a positive and energetic manner!

Qualifications, Skills, and Education:

 

• This position should be passionate about food and beverages. He or she considers themselves an independent thinker and doer, and some who loves to introduce friends to new things they’ve discovered, especially food and beverages.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A or B.S) in Sales, Business Administration, Business Management.
• 5+ years of professional consumer-packaged goods experience (Natural/Specialty/Organic food and/or beverage preferred) or working for or with a food & beverage organization
• Passionate and results oriented individual who demonstrates persistence in the face of obstacles – ability to problem solves and innovate to succeed.
• Strong planning and organizational skills along with excellent interpersonal, written/oral communication, and presentation skills.
• Full competence with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a hands-on, fast paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Highly adaptable and resourceful; proactive versus reactive.
• Proficient in Syndicated Data Tools including, but not limited to SPINs, IRI, Nielsen, etc.