Senior Manager, Business Development

About Monogram Foods
A leading food manufacturer, Monogram Foods specializes in delivering your favorite foods and snacks with unparalleled quality and flavor. We specialize in co-manufacturing, private label, and food service solutions, offering a diverse range of products including appetizers, meat snacks, sandwiches, bacon, corn dogs, and baked goods.

Established in 2004 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Monogram Foods has earned recognition as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. With over 4,000 team members across 12 locations in seven states, our unwavering commitment to excellence and passion for quality drives everything we do.

Our dedication extends beyond our products to giving back to local communities. Through the Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation, we strive to "make it better" for children and families, embodying our core values and creating lasting, meaningful change. 

Our Culture Is Our Secret Ingredient
At Monogram Foods, we're more than a food company—we're a passionate team dedicated to creating America's most beloved foods and making an impact in the communities where we operate. 

We value the dedication of our team members and are committed to fostering a fun, supportive work environment. We prioritize recognition, well-being, and a strong sense of belonging because we know that when our team is at its best, we can deliver our best to customers. Here you will enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Plus, our inclusive culture—grounded in our company values—celebrates diversity and respects the unique perspectives of our team members. 

So, if you're hungry for a rewarding career, join our team and let's cook up something extraordinary together.

About The Role:

The Senior Manager, Business Development serves as a strategic leader responsible for driving growth across Monogram’s portfolio. This role combines business acumen, R&D expertise, and strong cross-functional leadership to identify, evaluate, and execute new products, process and technology opportunities that enhance profitability and align with corporate objectives.

This position will oversee the development of innovative products and manage strategic customer relationships, ensuring that all initiatives are executed with operational excellence and in compliance with regulatory standards. The Senior Manager will also provide leadership and mentorship to project teams, guiding business development initiatives from concept through implementation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:
  Lead business development initiatives by identifying emerging market opportunities, analyzing industry trends, and developing long-term strategies to expand Monogram’s market share and profitability.
• Portfolio Management:
  Oversee key product lines (with a primary focus on Appetizers R&D and related protein innovations) to ensure alignment with customer expectations, profitability goals, and brand positioning.
• Customer Engagement:
  Partner directly with key customers and business partners to identify unmet needs, co-develop new products, and ensure project alignment with customer objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  Direct multi-plant and cross-functional teams, collaborating with R&D, Operations, Sales, Finance, and Continuous Improvement to ensure project success and on-time commercialization.
• Financial Accountability:
  Monitor and analyze the Appetizers snack P&L statements, providing insights that drive cost optimization, efficiency improvements, and sustainable margin growth.
• Innovation and Technology:
  Lead research initiatives that identify and implement emerging technologies, packaging solutions, and manufacturing advancements to maintain Monogram’s competitive edge.
• Talent and Project Leadership:
  Mentor and develop junior managers, scientists, and project leads, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
• Compliance and Governance:
  Ensure all business development initiatives comply with USDA, FDA, and customer-specific requirements.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Champion process improvement, knowledge sharing, and best-practice standardization across sites and teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support divisional and corporate strategic goals.

NOTE: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. The duties and responsibilities listed above may be changed or supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Education and Experience:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Food Science, Business, or an MBA.
• Experience: Minimum 8 years in product development, commercialization, or business development within the food manufacturing industry, including 3+ years in a leadership role managing multi-site or multi-category initiatives.
• Proven experience working with regulatory agencies (USDA, FDA) and major retail or foodservice customers.

Competencies and Skills:

• Strategic thinking with strong business acumen.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Deep understanding of food manufacturing processes and cost structures.
• Proven ability to lead diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and financial skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-visibility projects.
• Collaborative leadership style that builds trust and drives results.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods and move throughout the facility as needed.
• Ability to lift items up to 20 lbs. unassisted.
• Visual and hearing acuity sufficient for business and technical environments.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel domestically up to 25%.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment and Personal Protective Equipment:

• General office and plant environments.
• Occasional exposure to manufacturing conditions, including temperature variation and machinery.
• Appropriate PPE required when in production areas.