Business Development Manager in Los Angeles, California at Freshlunches

The Business Development Manager supports the growth of Unity Meals and Ignite Foods by managing proposals, organizing sales activity, supporting prospecting, and creating persuasive client-facing content.

Reporting to the Vice President of Sales, this role will coordinate RFPs from review through submission, maintain the sales pipeline, support outreach and follow-up, and write copy for proposals, presentations, email campaigns, brochures, product sheets, and other marketing materials. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail oriented, proactive, and able to manage multiple deadlines while working across departments.

• Manage RFPs and proposals from initial review through final submission.
• Identify requirements, deadlines, evaluation criteria, forms, attachments, and submission instructions.
• Create proposal timelines, checklists, and internal deadlines.
• Coordinate information from sales, operations, culinary, nutrition, finance, compliance, and leadership.
• Draft, edit, format, proofread, and assemble proposal documents.
• Ensure submissions are accurate, compliant, complete, and delivered on time.
• Maintain proposal templates, standard responses, certifications, references, and supporting documents.
• Track addenda, questions, tastings, interviews, awards, and contract timelines.
• Organize contract requirements, pricing, timelines, service expectations, and client commitments.

• Research and identify prospective school districts, charter networks, charter schools, preschools, after school and institutional clients.
• Maintain prospect lists for Unity Meals and Ignite Foods.
• Monitor bid platforms and public sources for new opportunities.
• Support potential client outreach, follow-up, meeting scheduling, and lead qualification.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline stages, contact information, and next steps.
• Prepare sales reports, opportunity updates, and upcoming deadline summaries.
• Support the Vice President of Sales with presentations, tastings, sample requests, client meetings, and follow-up materials.
• Help develop repeatable sales systems, templates, and workflows.

• Review and edit copy for proposals, sales presentations, brochures, one-sheets, capability statements, product sheets, case studies, and website content.
• Develop content for email campaigns, newsletters, prospecting sequences, product launches, special meal promotions, and client announcements.
• Adapt content for school administrators, nutrition directors, charter leaders, procurement teams, and other decision-makers.
• Work with internal teams to ensure materials are accurate, consistent, and aligned across Unity Meals and Ignite Foods.

• Three or more years of experience in business development, proposal management, sales support, account management, marketing communications, or project coordination.
• Experience managing RFPs, proposals, contracts, or deadline-driven documentation preferred.
• Strong business writing, editing, proofreading, and marketing copywriting skills.
• Experience with prospecting, account management, CRM systems, and pipeline tracking.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Strong project management, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability duly to manage multiple priorities and coordinate across departments.
• Strong communication skills and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Experience in school foodservice, education, institutional foodservice, or government contracting is helpful but not required.

• Client-focused: Demonstrates a deep understanding of client needs and prioritizes their satisfaction.
• Analytical thinking: Able to analyze data, identify trends, and make data-driven recommendations.
• Proactive Execution: Anticipates needs, takes initiative, and solves problems before they escalate.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Adaptability: Flexible and able to adjust strategies based on changing internal, or client needs or market conditions.

• Primarily office-based with local travel required for client visits, conferences, running errands, and industry events.

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Accurate and timely proposal submissions
• Strong organization of the RFP calendar and sales pipeline
• Consistent prospecting and follow-up activity
• Quality and effectiveness of written sales and marketing materials
• Improved proposal workflows, templates, and internal coordination
• Increased capacity to pursue qualified opportunities
• Contribution to new business, account growth, and successful client transitions