Director, Customer Development

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery®, Otis Spunkmeyer®, and Oakrun Farm Bakery®. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

The Director, Customer Development (Commercial National Accounts-Foodservice) will manage Key Aspire Bakeries National Accounts. This position reports directly to the Vice President of National Accounts.  This position will manage an existing customer base while also developing new customer opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Managing existing business through pricing negotiations, contract extensions, RFP’s, etc.  Monitors customers supply chain activity.
• Prospecting new customers and business.  Manages product development process and commercialization with internal cross functional teams.
• Identify menu gaps, promotional opportunities and key development initiatives to gain incremental sales.
• Work to develop and manage budgets pertaining to sales, margin, program funds, and allowances.
• Direct responsibility for managing product forecasting and roll outs of new foods.
• Work with the Marketing and Category Management teams to identify and pursue ideas, projects, opportunities that have the biggest sales and margin potential.
• Raise awareness of account issues, opportunities and results through weekly C4C status report, and constant discussion horizontally and vertically throughout the organization.
• Represent Aspire Bakeries at tradeshows and Customer Conferences as needed.
• Maintain customer correspondence and price quote files and ensure that we have the correct financial documentation and back-up.
• Develop knowledge of our Bakeries, Capabilities, Categories, and Food handling.
• Interact with other departments in the organization to insure the proper management of customer requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communication or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of Foodservice National Account experience with a proven track record of success. 
• Prior Bakery experience and or a culinary background preferred.  Excellent interpersonal and written and spoken communication skills needed.
• Previous, demonstrated success in achieving incremental product placement with major accounts resulting from specific initiatives.
• Ability to survive, thrive in opportunistic but fairly unstructured environment.
• Proficient in MS Office, specifically PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
• 25% to 50% overnight travel away from home required.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000

Aspire Bakeries LLC values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. The final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to location, shift, education, skill, and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed In this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.