Bakery Business Development Manager

Bakery Business Development Manager – Mid West/Eastern U.S.

New Business Development | National Accounts | ISB Bakery

Location: Eastern United States

Division: KLT Global / Lipari Foods

Position Focus: New Business Development & Strategic Account Growth

The Opportunity

KLT Global, the national sales and importing division of Lipari Foods, is seeking an experienced Bakery Business Development Manager for the Mid-West /Eastern United States .

This is a growth-focused sales position for a proven hunter .

The primary responsibility of this role is to generate significant incremental bakery sales by developing new retail and distributor relationships, securing new item and category placements, and expanding penetration within existing strategic national accounts.

We are looking for someone who knows the bakery business, understands the In-Store Bakery (ISB) category , has established industry relationships, and is comfortable opening doors, creating opportunities and closing business.

This is not simply an account-maintenance position. The successful candidate will be expected to prospect, build a pipeline, make headquarters presentations, develop programs, negotiate opportunities and convert those opportunities into profitable sales.

The Business Development Manager will have the support of KLT Global Leadership, Customer Service, Logistics, Marketing, Category Management and our broker network to execute programs and provide customers with a high level of service.

Key Responsibilities

• Aggressively identify and develop new bakery business opportunities throughout the Mid-West/Eastern United States.
• Develop relationships with key decision-makers at grocery retailers, wholesalers, distributors and other strategic accounts.
• Expand bakery sales within existing national accounts through new item placements, additional distribution, category expansion and new programs .
• Maintain a consistent pipeline of qualified opportunities capable of delivering meaningful incremental sales.
• Secure and conduct customer headquarters meetings, category reviews, product presentations and new-item presentations.
• Understand customer strategies, category needs and consumer trends and translate them into actionable bakery programs.
• Develop customized solutions utilizing KLT Global's portfolio of imported, specialty and differentiated bakery products.
• Coordinate internal resources to successfully execute new programs from presentation through launch.
• Develop account plans with measurable sales objectives, financial targets and key milestones.
• Negotiate pricing and programs while maintaining established profitability expectations.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, opportunity pipelines and customer activity reporting.
• Manage and hold assigned brokers accountable for prospecting, customer activity, opportunities and measurable results.
• Work closely with Customer Service, Logistics, Marketing and other internal departments to ensure successful customer execution.
• Monitor competitive activity, emerging bakery trends, merchandising concepts and promotional opportunities.
• Participate in key industry trade shows, customer meetings and market visits.
• Take ownership of opportunities from initial prospecting through authorization, launch and successful commercialization .

What Success Looks Like

This is a performance-driven business development position. Success will be measured by the ability to:

• Generate significant incremental bakery revenue and gross profit .
• Build and maintain a strong, qualified opportunity pipeline.
• Open new strategic retail and distributor relationships.
• Secure new item authorizations and category placements.
• Expand distribution and SKU penetration within existing accounts.
• Consistently generate productive headquarters meetings and customer presentations.
• Convert qualified opportunities into sustainable sales.
• Effectively utilize and manage the broker network.
• Maintain disciplined follow-up, forecasting and pipeline management.
• Consistently meet or exceed established sales and profitability objectives.

Position Requirements

• Proven In-Store Bakery (ISB) experience is required.
• Minimum 3–5 years of successful bakery sales or business development experience , preferably calling on grocery retailers, wholesalers and distributors.
• Demonstrated track record of winning new business , not simply managing an established customer base.
• Established relationships within the grocery retail, bakery and/or food distribution industry strongly preferred.
• Experience making presentations to retail headquarters buyers, category managers and senior merchandising leadership.
• Experience working with major distributors and wholesalers such as UNFI, C&S, AWG or similar organizations is preferred.
• Experience managing and holding food brokers accountable for performance.
• Strong selling, negotiation and closing skills.
• Ability to identify opportunities, gain access to decision-makers and move opportunities through the sales process.
• Strong financial understanding, including pricing, margins, promotions and profitability.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time-management capabilities.
• Disciplined approach to pipeline management, forecasting and follow-up.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard sales/CRM tools.
• Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field preferred; relevant industry experience and demonstrated sales success will also be considered.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the Eastern United States as required.

The Candidate We're Looking For

The right candidate is a builder .

You enjoy pursuing business that doesn't exist today. You are comfortable picking up the phone, requesting the meeting, making the presentation, asking for the business and following through until an opportunity is won or lost.

You understand that relationships matter—but relationships must ultimately translate into placements, distribution, revenue and profitable growth .

You are competitive, accountable and self-directed. You know your customers, understand your pipeline and can clearly explain where your next significant piece of business will come from.

Most importantly, you have a documented history of creating new business in the bakery category .

About KLT Global / Lipari Foods

KLT Global is the national sales and importing division of Lipari Foods, connecting innovative food manufacturers and international brands with retailers and distributors throughout the United States.

Our team combines global sourcing, product development, importing, national account sales, logistics and retail execution to bring differentiated products and programs to the U.S. market.

Our bakery portfolio includes products sourced from leading manufacturers throughout Europe and North America, with capabilities across In-Store Bakery, Take & Bake, specialty and organic bakery, brioche, breads, rolls, pastries, desserts and other differentiated bakery solutions .

KLT Global is backed by the scale and infrastructure of Lipari Foods.

Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Lipari Foods is a leading distributor of deli, bakery, dairy, specialty grocery, seafood, confection, packaging and related products. Lipari serves thousands of retail locations across a multi-state distribution network and operates multiple manufacturing facilities specializing in cheese, jarred products, confection and other food categories.

Together, KLT Global and Lipari Foods provide the entrepreneurial environment of a growth organization supported by the infrastructure and resources necessary to successfully bring major programs to market.

Why Join Us?

This position provides an experienced bakery sales professional the opportunity to help build a rapidly growing national bakery business with:

• A differentiated international and domestic bakery portfolio.
• Strong global sourcing capabilities.
• Access to major U.S. retailers and distributors.
• Dedicated Customer Service, Logistics, Marketing and leadership support.
• The ability to develop customized solutions for customers.
• Significant opportunity to create new business rather than simply inherit an existing territory.

We are looking for someone who wants to build, compete and win .

If you are a proven bakery sales professional who can demonstrate a history of opening doors, securing placements and developing profitable new business, we want to hear from you.