Role Overview for VP of Business Development, Food & Beverage
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a leading Food & Beverage company in its search for a driven and strategic VP of Business Development. Based in Washington, DC, this executive leadership role owns revenue growth and the commercial engine of the business.
Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, the VP of Business Development will develop and execute the sales strategy, lead the sales organization, own key customer relationships, and deliver profitable, sustainable revenue growth.
Food and beverage is a fast-paced, quality-critical, and consumer-driven industry. The ideal candidate is a proven commercial leader who blends strategic account management with disciplined execution and strong team leadership.
This is an excellent opportunity to take on significant responsibility, partner closely with leadership, and make a lasting, measurable impact on the business.
Key Responsibilities of VP of Business Development, Food & Beverage
The role will own revenue growth, with responsibilities including but not limited to:
Sales Strategy
Develop and execute a sales strategy that drives profitable revenue growth across channels.
Revenue & Margin Ownership
Own revenue, volume, and margin targets, with rigorous forecasting and accountability.
Key Account Management
Cultivate executive relationships with strategic customers and lead major pursuits and negotiations.
Channel Management
Optimize and grow direct, distributor, and partner channels to expand reach and sell-through.
Pricing Strategy
Implement value-based pricing and respond intelligently to competitive dynamics.
New Business Development
Identify and win new customers, channels, and market opportunities.
Sales Operations & CRM
Strengthen sales operations, CRM adoption, and analytics for accurate forecasting.
Customer Experience
Champion a customer-first culture across the buying journey.
Cross-Functional Partnership
Collaborate with marketing, operations, and finance to align demand and supply.
Sales Enablement
Enable the sales team with tools, training, and content that improve win rates.
Executive Reporting
Provide leadership with clear reporting on pipeline, forecast, and market intelligence.
Team Leadership
Attract, build, and lead a high-performing sales organization and a culture of accountability.
Requirements for the VP of Business Development, Food & Beverage
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is required; an MBA is preferred.
Experience
Progressive commercial experience, including senior sales leadership within a comparable industry.
Sales Expertise
Deep expertise in sales strategy, key account management, and channel management.
Growth Record
A proven, verifiable track record driving revenue and margin growth and expanding share.
Leadership
Exceptional ability to build, lead, and inspire sales teams to exceed targets.
Analytical Skills
Strong command of forecasting, pricing, CRM, and pipeline analytics.
Communication & Negotiation
Outstanding communication and negotiation skills with customers and executives.
Customer Relationships
Established relationships and credibility with key customers and partners.
Travel
Willingness to travel to engage customers, partners, and field teams as required.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain exceptional leadership talent, including:
Competitive Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual performance bonus and long-term incentive participation.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
A full suite of medical, dental, and vision plans with multiple options, plus Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) choices to fit your family’s needs.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you build long-term financial security.
Paid Time Off
A generous paid time off program, including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
Strong support for your continued growth, including funding for certifications, executive education, and attendance at leading industry conferences.
Leadership Platform
A high-visibility leadership role with the autonomy to shape strategy and drive results.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family, where applicable.
Collaborative Culture
A positive, inclusive, and high-integrity culture where your leadership is valued and your impact is recognized.
How to Apply
If you are an accomplished leader ready to make a meaningful impact in this role, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and achievements.
This is a retained search conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. For more on our expertise in this area, please visit our Sales & Commercial executive search practice page. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. JRG Partners is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at every level of the organizations we serve.
