Commercial Growth Leader, Specialty Foods & Protein

Travel: 30% to 40%

Position: Commercial Leadership Our client is an established, financially strong specialty food producer preparing for an exciting period of commercial expansion. With growing opportunities across premium foodservice, specialty distribution, and the rapidly evolving pet nutrition market, the organization is investing in stronger customer partnerships, broader market reach, and increased production utilization. They are seeking an entrepreneurial Commercial Growth Leader to accelerate revenue, strengthen brand positioning, and build a scalable sales and marketing organization. This is a unique opportunity for a results-driven commercial professional who enjoys building markets, developing strategic relationships, and turning growth opportunities into measurable business results. The right leader will have significant ownership of commercial strategy, pricing, customer development, and marketing execution, with the ability to influence the long-term direction of an established manufacturing business. This Role Offers: An opportunity to lead commercial expansion for an established, financially stable food manufacturing organization. Significant influence over sales strategy, market development, brand growth, and profitability. Access to existing production capabilities that can support meaningful increases in customer demand. A diversified commercial model serving foodservice, distribution, pet nutrition, and direct-to-consumer markets. Direct collaboration with senior leadership and the opportunity to shape key business decisions. An established operational foundation with room to develop new accounts, channels, and commercial capabilities. Leadership responsibility across sales, marketing, customer service, and external agency partnerships. Flexibility for qualified candidates based outside Arkansas, with regular onsite engagement required. Potential consideration for rising commercial leaders at the senior manager level, with responsibilities aligned to experience. Focus: Build and execute a comprehensive commercial strategy designed to increase sales, expand distribution, and improve profitability across multiple specialty protein markets. Develop relationships with restaurant groups, culinary decision-makers, hospitality organizations, food distributors, and pet nutrition manufacturers. Identify new opportunities within premium foodservice, specialty retail, pet food production, and direct-to-consumer channels. Lead sales and marketing personnel while coordinating external creative, promotional, and business development resources. Establish strategic customer partnerships and manage major accounts, including commercial negotiations, service expectations, and long-term growth planning. Strengthen distributor relationships through effective channel management, product positioning, pricing support, and coordinated sales initiatives. Develop commercial agreements with distributors, manufacturers, and strategic customers while protecting margins and supporting sustainable growth. Build pricing and profitability models that account for processing yields, product mix, transportation expenses, and customer-specific requirements. Collaborate with production and supply chain leadership to align market demand with manufacturing capacity, inventory planning, and product availability. Direct integrated marketing initiatives, including digital campaigns, e-commerce, industry events, customer engagement, and brand development. Implement disciplined sales processes, CRM utilization, pipeline management, and forecasting practices to improve commercial visibility. Evaluate channel performance, customer profitability, and marketing effectiveness to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Incorporate customer and market feedback into product development, packaging, quality expectations, and commercial planning. Develop a high-performing commercial team through coaching, performance management, and scalable business processes. Skill Set:7+ years of progressive sales or business development experience within food manufacturing, specialty proteins, or related consumer and commercial food markets. 3+ years of commercial leadership experience with responsibility for sales performance, financial results, and profitability. Demonstrated experience overseeing both sales and marketing activities, including team leadership and external agency coordination. Direct experience commercializing specialty animal proteins, preferably rabbit or comparable niche protein products, through foodservice, distribution, or pet nutrition channels. Established relationships with relevant foodservice distributors, restaurant groups, specialty protein buyers, pet food manufacturers, or co-manufacturing partners. Proven ability to secure new business, expand strategic accounts, and develop customer relationships that generate sustainable revenue. Experience negotiating distribution agreements, supply arrangements, pricing schedules, and other customer contracts. Strong financial acumen, including product-level pricing, processing economics, yield analysis, margin management, and revenue forecasting. Familiarity with CRM platforms and experience directing marketing campaigns, digital commerce initiatives, and third-party service providers. Ability to collaborate effectively with manufacturing, operations, and supply chain teams in a production-driven environment. Experience scaling a commercial organization, developing new distribution channels, or expanding manufacturing utilization is highly valued. Knowledge of regulated food processing, agricultural supply chains, refrigerated distribution, or international sourcing is advantageous. Spanish-language proficiency is a plus. A hands-on, accountable leadership style with the ability to balance strategic planning and direct customer engagement. Willingness to travel and maintain regular onsite collaboration with operational leadership in Northwest Arkansas.