Business Development & Value Added Manager

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑  Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.  With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognized as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.  We’re looking for a Business Development & Value Added Manager to join our team in, Oxnard, California Job Summary Reporting to the President/CEO, the Business Development & Value-Added Manager will be responsible for driving the growth and diversification of our business by identifying new market opportunities, expanding our customer portfolio, and developing innovative value-added product solutions. You will play a key role in fostering strategic partnerships, driving sales and revenue, and supporting the launch of new products and services that enhance our value proposition in the fresh produce and agribusiness sectors. Success in this role requires a strong understanding of the fresh produce industry, customer needs, and value chain dynamics, combined with excellent communication and business development skills. Responsibilities Develop and execute a comprehensive growth strategy focused on increasing revenue, customer satisfaction, and value-added innovation. Identify emerging markets, customer needs, and industry trends to maintain a competitive advantage. Proactively schedule meetings with prospective clients to introduce tailored solutions and value-added offerings. Promote and position Westfalia’s products and value-added services by addressing both current and anticipated customer objectives. Deeply understand client requirements and customize offerings—such as processed fruit solutions or packaged innovations—to meet evolving demands. Leverage client feedback to refine products and improve service delivery. Establish and strengthen strategic alliances with third-party processors, co-packers, or logistics providers that complement Westfalia’s core business. Work closely with partners to co-develop new product concepts, explore joint ventures, and expand market reach through synergistic collaborations. Maintain accurate business records and insights including sales pipelines, revenue metrics, and customer engagement data. Utilize CRM tools to manage customer interactions, monitor business opportunities, and support data-driven decision-making. Provide reliable after-sales support to ensure client satisfaction, trust, and repeat business. Serve as the main point of contact to resolve issues, communicate updates, and ensure a seamless customer experience from onboarding through ongoing service delivery. Demonstrate commercial acumen to identify high-margin opportunities, assess new value-added product potential, and recommend go-to-market strategies. Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to shape profitable and sustainable business decisions. Build and maintain long-term client relationships by acting as a trusted partner in their success. Identify evolving business needs, anticipate supply chain or service challenges, and provide strategic, value-driven solutions that enhance customer outcomes. Lead growth planning initiatives by conducting market and performance analysis. Track KPIs related to new product uptake, customer acquisition, and revenue generation. Regularly assess business development strategies to ensure alignment with company goals and recommend optimizations based on performance data. Stay current on agribusiness and food industry trends, customer preferences, and technological developments. Conduct competitive and SWOT analyses to inform strategic planning and maintain a forward-thinking approach to product and market development. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in business, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related discipline is preferred. Proven experience in a Business Development, Sales, or Product Innovation role within the agribusiness or fresh produce industry, with an emphasis on consumer packaged goods or value-added products (e.g., processed, packaged, or ready-to-eat formats). Deep understanding of the agribusiness value chain, including industry trends, regulatory requirements, market dynamics, customer expectations, and value-added innovation drivers. Demonstrated success in identifying and launching new business initiatives, forming strategic partnerships, and exceeding revenue or market growth targets. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems to manage pipelines, customer interactions, and performance tracking. Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally to engage with clients, partners, and production facilities. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to articulate complex value propositions, engage stakeholders, and lead presentations. Strategic thinker with the ability to translate market insights into actionable growth strategies, especially in developing and positioning value-added offerings. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills to foster trust and collaboration with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams. Results-driven mindset with a focus on creating measurable business outcomes and long-term value for customers and the company. Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and high-impact decision-making. Strong negotiation and contract development skills, with experience in structuring value-based deals and resolving conflicts. Effective leadership capabilities to mentor junior team members, influence across departments, and support a culture of innovation and excellence. Superior time management and organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and meet critical deadlines. Benefits What can Westfalia Fruit offer you? We offer 8 paid holidays. Floating Holidays. Health Insurance; Medical, Dental, and Vision at 100% coverage. Life Insurance. 401K and company matching. Paid Vacation. Paid Sick Time.   We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.