Business Developer

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Employee Type: FT Exempt
Organization: Martin Bros. Distributing Co. Inc.
Department: Sales
Job Posted: 2025-01-10
Job Post Expires: 2025-01-17

Job Overview:

The Business Developer will be responsible for identifying the strategic priorities (identify decision maker(s), goals, objectives) of customers and then formulating proposals that will increase Martin Brothers opportunities for sales. This position will be the lead to grow local restaurants, hospitality and senior living chains while collaborating with TSM’s (Territory Sales Manager) to maintain and further develop the prospects/customer’s needs and maintain market share.

Expectations:

Lead the prospecting efforts of restaurants, hospitality and senior living chains within the territory of Martin Bros.

• Identify opportunities for growth by targeting potential new customers.
• Remain abreast of competitive advantages and disadvantages in the marketplace and share strategies which may be used to win the business with other departments to better position Martin Bros.
• Assist with pricing comparisons, when requested, and utilize existing resources to provide a competitive proposal
• Lead proposal meetings, presentations and follow up communication with potential customers.

Work in conjunction with the TSM/DSR’s and be the primary liaison between the independent restaurants/local chains, hospitality and senior living facilities, in all areas of Martin Bros. Distributing.

• Work with TSM’s/DSR’s to provide them with information and research regarding specific prospects within their territory
• Participate in marketing projects and provide insight to group discussions
• Work directly with the TSM’s, DSR’s and other departments on securing new customers
• Proactively communicate the changing needs of customers
• Work with Credit Manager on credit expectations as it relates to each situation.
• Solve customer concerns or needs keeping in mind customer expectations and company goals and objectives.

Utilize technological systems along with reports and analysis as part of the sales process.

• Responsible for providing bi-monthly sales updates
• Provide the sales team with Top Prospects to include detailed research and sales approach/plan to securing new business
• Coordinate the lead prospecting activity and reporting update
• Proactively communicate, update opportunities/activities, and the HC spreadsheet on progress with prospects.

Support sales to ensure growth and perform additional duties as requested/assigned

• Leadership
• Managing accounts
• Problem solving, communicating
• Overall market growth, retention, and success

Job Duties:

• Network extensively for leads.

• Develop relationships with key influencers in market.
• Develop formal marketing plan for generating new business.
• Review and revise marketing plans on a regular basis and/or as needed.
• Develop target account list of potential customers.
• Utilize deliberate, measurable and long-term plans to penetrate target accounts.
• Qualify leads into potential customers.
• Perform detailed needs analysis to understand client’s requirements for a foodservice distributor.
• Present to customers on Martin Bros. products and services in a persuasive manner.
• Utilize effective sales techniques to solidify and close deals with prospects and/or customers.
• Respond, in a timely manner, to customer inquiries, requests for information, quotes, problem resolution, etc.
• Act as a professional interface with Martin Brothers team members and the prospect/customer.
• Serve as a liaison between the sales team and other internal departments to ensure the prospect/customer’s needs are met.
• Present to various committees, customer groups and internal/external teams.
• Travel to meet with customers or attend industry functions.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or three to four years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience. Related degrees could be Marketing, Management or Public Relations.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Get it done attitude, with professionalism
• Collaborative style; proactively build strong, supportive internal and external relationships

• Ability to work independently under a goal structured environment.

• Excellent presentation skills
• Strategic market penetration skills, creative, flexible
• Effective, timely, and factual communicator
• Excellent computer skills (internet, Microsoft products, specialized software)
• Ability to solve problems in a variety of situations
• Travel with overnights is expected and necessary for success
• Valid driver’s license and MVR to meet company auto insurance requirements
• Ability to work in a non-structured environment and be independently motivated
• Ability to handle difficult situations and interactions
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize
• Must be able to successfully pass all pre-employment requirements including drug screening and background check

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