Business Development Lead - Foodservice, Retail, Private Label
About the role
Compensation: $140,000 - $150,000 CAD
Location: Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid 2-3 days onsite)
About The Role
Flora Food Group is building its commercial presence in Canada, and foodservice is just one piece of a much broader growth opportunity.
We're looking for an entrepreneurial commercial leader to identify, prioritize, and pursue the initiatives that will accelerate growth and maximize plant capacity across the Canadian market. While foodservice represents an important strategic channel, this role extends far beyond traditional foodservice sales. You will help shape the future of the business by evaluating opportunities across foodservice, strategic partnerships, private label, contract manufacturing, and emerging routes to market.
This is a rare opportunity to build a business function largely from the ground up. Success will require equal parts strategy and execution: determining where the organization should focus, developing the go-to-market approach, building the tools and partnerships needed to win, and personally driving opportunities from concept to commercialization.
With the Becel Chef's Signature platform now in market and significant growth ambitions ahead, you'll play a critical role in shaping Flora Food Group's Canadian growth strategy. From leading our broker relationships and building foundational sales capabilities to building strategic partnerships and advancing commercial priorities, you'll help define how the business scales in the years ahead.
If you're a commercially minded builder who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys creating a playbook rather than following one, and is energized by uncovering new paths to growth, we'd love to meet you.
What You'll Do
Develop and execute a Canadian commercial growth strategy across foodservice, strategic partnerships, private label, and contract manufacturing channels Identify, evaluate, and prioritize high-ROI business opportunities, establishing clear criteria for where the organization invests its time and resources Build and evolve the go-to-market strategy, adjusting channel priorities based on market opportunities and business performance Lead the broker relationship in alignment with our strategic direction Create the foundational commercial infrastructure needed to support growth, including sales tools, customer materials, processes, and performance frameworks Partner closely with Marketing and Design teams to develop compelling sales collateral, sell sheets, and channel-specific customer presentations Leverage the Chef's Signature Becel brand platform to create differentiated customer engagement opportunities within foodservice and related channels Lead and develop a small but capable team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and prioritization discipline Build relationships with operators, distributors, brokers, manufacturers, and strategic commercial partners across the Canadian market Translate market insights into clear commercial actions that drive profitable growth and improve utilization of manufacturing capacity
What You Bring
Proven success in identifying and commercializing new business opportunities within foodservice, retail, CPG, or manufacturing Experience developing go-to-market strategies and commercial growth plans, particularly in environments where the playbook was not already established Strong business development skills, including opportunity assessment, prioritization, negotiation, and customer acquisition Ability to operate effectively across multiple channels and routes to market rather than within a single area of specialization Experience managing brokers, distributors, strategic partners, or third-party commercial organizations Track record of building processes, teams, tools, and capabilities in entrepreneurial or growth-focused environments Strong commercial judgment and the ability to balance long-term opportunities with near-term business needs Foodservice experience is valued, but deep foodservice specialization is not required Retail, private label, contract manufacturing, or broader commercial leadership experience would be considered a significant advantage combined with foodservice experience
About You
You are a business builder who thrives in environments where the playbook doesn't yet exist. You're comfortable operating with ambiguity, creating structure, and identifying where the organization should focus its time and resources.
You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to execution.
Whether assessing a new partnership opportunity, developing a go-to-market strategy, or building a commercial capability from scratch, you know how to turn ideas into results.
Your experience may span foodservice, retail, private label, manufacturing, or multiple commercial channels, but what sets you apart is your ability to evaluate opportunities, prioritize effectively, and drive profitable growth and should be proficient in all.
We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles.
Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.
No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.
Not the right fit? Search for Business Development Lead jobs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
About Flora Food Group
The driving force behind our success as a global leader in plant-based food are the circa 4,800 Flora Foodies who live our purpose every day and are engaged in our mission, delivering through our values of Performance, Care and Passion. Results Matter. With an ‘Always Day 1 mindset’. Always one step ahead, driven by data, with a finger on the pulse – our customers and consumers are at the heart. We identify the sweet spot; we relish challenge; we own it. We're agile decision-makers, with the courage to pivot, we sometimes fail fast - but learn even faster. Kindness wins. With a long-term focus on building a sustainable future, Flora Foodies show the 'Courage to Care' for each other, our communities, and the next generation. We believe in doing the right thing and 'Come As You Are' is not just a saying; it's an invitation to be authentic and bring your whole, true self to work. Difference brings angles and ideas to the party – we want you to be you. Passion fuels our Next Generation of the Food journey. Full of energy and possibility, Flora Foodies constantly raise the bar, driving the Flora Food Group and one another forwards. We're a team of food lovers and enthusiasts – our sum is truly greater than our parts, and we absolutely love what we do.
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Business Development Lead - Foodservice, Retail, Private Label
About the role
Compensation: $140,000 - $150,000 CAD
Location: Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid 2-3 days onsite)
About The Role
Flora Food Group is building its commercial presence in Canada, and foodservice is just one piece of a much broader growth opportunity.
We're looking for an entrepreneurial commercial leader to identify, prioritize, and pursue the initiatives that will accelerate growth and maximize plant capacity across the Canadian market. While foodservice represents an important strategic channel, this role extends far beyond traditional foodservice sales. You will help shape the future of the business by evaluating opportunities across foodservice, strategic partnerships, private label, contract manufacturing, and emerging routes to market.
This is a rare opportunity to build a business function largely from the ground up. Success will require equal parts strategy and execution: determining where the organization should focus, developing the go-to-market approach, building the tools and partnerships needed to win, and personally driving opportunities from concept to commercialization.
With the Becel Chef's Signature platform now in market and significant growth ambitions ahead, you'll play a critical role in shaping Flora Food Group's Canadian growth strategy. From leading our broker relationships and building foundational sales capabilities to building strategic partnerships and advancing commercial priorities, you'll help define how the business scales in the years ahead.
If you're a commercially minded builder who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys creating a playbook rather than following one, and is energized by uncovering new paths to growth, we'd love to meet you.
What You'll Do
Develop and execute a Canadian commercial growth strategy across foodservice, strategic partnerships, private label, and contract manufacturing channels Identify, evaluate, and prioritize high-ROI business opportunities, establishing clear criteria for where the organization invests its time and resources Build and evolve the go-to-market strategy, adjusting channel priorities based on market opportunities and business performance Lead the broker relationship in alignment with our strategic direction Create the foundational commercial infrastructure needed to support growth, including sales tools, customer materials, processes, and performance frameworks Partner closely with Marketing and Design teams to develop compelling sales collateral, sell sheets, and channel-specific customer presentations Leverage the Chef's Signature Becel brand platform to create differentiated customer engagement opportunities within foodservice and related channels Lead and develop a small but capable team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and prioritization discipline Build relationships with operators, distributors, brokers, manufacturers, and strategic commercial partners across the Canadian market Translate market insights into clear commercial actions that drive profitable growth and improve utilization of manufacturing capacity
What You Bring
Proven success in identifying and commercializing new business opportunities within foodservice, retail, CPG, or manufacturing Experience developing go-to-market strategies and commercial growth plans, particularly in environments where the playbook was not already established Strong business development skills, including opportunity assessment, prioritization, negotiation, and customer acquisition Ability to operate effectively across multiple channels and routes to market rather than within a single area of specialization Experience managing brokers, distributors, strategic partners, or third-party commercial organizations Track record of building processes, teams, tools, and capabilities in entrepreneurial or growth-focused environments Strong commercial judgment and the ability to balance long-term opportunities with near-term business needs Foodservice experience is valued, but deep foodservice specialization is not required Retail, private label, contract manufacturing, or broader commercial leadership experience would be considered a significant advantage combined with foodservice experience
About You
You are a business builder who thrives in environments where the playbook doesn't yet exist. You're comfortable operating with ambiguity, creating structure, and identifying where the organization should focus its time and resources.
You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to execution.
Whether assessing a new partnership opportunity, developing a go-to-market strategy, or building a commercial capability from scratch, you know how to turn ideas into results.
Your experience may span foodservice, retail, private label, manufacturing, or multiple commercial channels, but what sets you apart is your ability to evaluate opportunities, prioritize effectively, and drive profitable growth and should be proficient in all.
We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles.
Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.
No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.
Not the right fit? Search for Business Development Lead jobs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
About Flora Food Group
The driving force behind our success as a global leader in plant-based food are the circa 4,800 Flora Foodies who live our purpose every day and are engaged in our mission, delivering through our values of Performance, Care and Passion. Results Matter. With an ‘Always Day 1 mindset’. Always one step ahead, driven by data, with a finger on the pulse – our customers and consumers are at the heart. We identify the sweet spot; we relish challenge; we own it. We're agile decision-makers, with the courage to pivot, we sometimes fail fast - but learn even faster. Kindness wins. With a long-term focus on building a sustainable future, Flora Foodies show the 'Courage to Care' for each other, our communities, and the next generation. We believe in doing the right thing and 'Come As You Are' is not just a saying; it's an invitation to be authentic and bring your whole, true self to work. Difference brings angles and ideas to the party – we want you to be you. Passion fuels our Next Generation of the Food journey. Full of energy and possibility, Flora Foodies constantly raise the bar, driving the Flora Food Group and one another forwards. We're a team of food lovers and enthusiasts – our sum is truly greater than our parts, and we absolutely love what we do.