Senior Director, Customer Growth & Business Development – Strategic Partnerships, Market Expansion, and Insight‑Driven Innovation

About arenaflex

arenaflex is a globally recognized leader in the beverage and foodservice industry, renowned for its innovative portfolio of brands and its commitment to delivering exceptional value to partners and consumers alike. With a legacy of more than a century of market‑defining products, arenaflex continues to evolve, leveraging data‑driven insights, cutting‑edge digital tools, and a collaborative culture to stay ahead of emerging trends. As the company expands its footprint across the United States and beyond, it seeks visionary leaders who can translate strategic vision into tangible growth. The Senior Director, Customer Growth & Business Development role sits at the heart of this transformation, acting as the strategic bridge between arenaflex and its most influential foodservice and hospitality customers.

Why This Role Matters

In today’s fast‑moving consumer landscape, the ability to identify “white‑space” opportunities—areas where demand exists but solutions are scarce—is a critical competitive advantage. This newly created position within the Business Development Center of Excellence (COE) will spearhead the discovery, cultivation, and execution of high‑impact growth initiatives. By aligning arenaflex’s brand capabilities with the evolving needs of C‑suite marketing leaders at top-tier customers, you will drive new category expansion, secure renewal pipelines, and shape the future of partnership strategy across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Direct all growth and customer‑marketing activities for the Business Development COE, setting clear objectives, KPIs, and roadmaps that align with arenaflex’s broader commercial goals.
• Executive Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with C‑suite marketing executives at high‑value customers within the Code 10 pipeline, becoming the go‑to advisor for partnership strategy.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Lead internal stakeholder teams—including Insights, Digital, Brand, Asset Management, and Commercial—to secure resources and alignment for Business Development projects.
• Stewardship Material Development: Oversee the creation of customer‑centric stewardship tools such as the “Why arenaflex Evolution” narrative, Value Bundle presentations, Code 5/10 Playbooks, and Beverage Consultant guides.
• Insight Generation: Provide actionable customer insights to brand, integrated marketing, innovation, and strategy teams, and recommend targeted research initiatives to close knowledge gaps.
• Trend Identification & Solution Design: Detect emerging trends and gaps within arenaflex’s value bundle (e.g., food‑beverage pairings) and partner with subject‑matter experts to develop innovative solutions and best‑practice commercialization plans.
• Communication & Alignment: Design and execute a comprehensive communication plan for senior leadership, utilizing newsletters, executive decks, face‑to‑face briefings, and virtual sessions to champion Code 5 and Code 10 strategies.
• Industry Engagement: Represent arenaflex at key industry events, conferences, and roundtables to showcase thought leadership and expand the company’s network of strategic partners.
• Performance Tracking: Establish robust measurement frameworks to monitor the impact of business development initiatives on revenue growth, market share, and customer satisfaction.

Essential Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) is a strong plus.
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, agency work, or CPG environments, with a proven track record of driving growth for foodservice customers.
• Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of customer‑marketing (shopper‑marketing) dynamics within the Foodservice & On‑Premise (FSOP) sector.
• Strategic Partnership Acumen: Demonstrated ability to craft and execute compelling beverage partnership strategies, especially with Code 10 customers.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication, with the ability to influence senior executives and inspire cross‑functional teams.
• Project Leadership: Comfortable leading complex, long‑term initiatives that span multiple business units and geographies.
• Problem‑Solving Orientation: Strong analytical mindset, solution‑focused, and able to thrive in ambiguous environments.
• Organizational Skills: Proven ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple concurrent projects while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel 20‑30% of the time to meet customers, attend industry events, and support regional initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications & Additional Strengths

• Experience working directly with top‑tier foodservice operators, restaurant chains, or hospitality groups.
• Background in digital transformation initiatives, including the deployment of data‑analytics platforms and omnichannel marketing tools.
• Track record of launching new product categories or co‑branding programs that resulted in measurable revenue uplift.
• Familiarity with arenaflex’s internal systems (e.g., CRM, market‑research databases, and collaboration suites) or similar enterprise platforms.
• Fluency in additional languages (Spanish, French, etc.) to support multi‑regional customer engagements.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking & Market Insight
• Customer‑Centric Partnership Development
• Advanced Presentation & Storytelling Ability
• Negotiation & Influence
• Data‑Driven Decision Making
• Agile Project Management
• Cross‑Cultural Communication
• Leadership & Team Development
• Digital Media Strategy & Execution
• Competitive Analysis & SWOT Assessment

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the professional development of its leaders. In this role, you will gain:

• Global Exposure: Direct interaction with senior leaders across arenaflex’s worldwide network, providing a platform to influence multi‑regional strategies.
• Leadership Development: Access to executive coaching, mentorship programs, and leadership academies designed to accelerate your trajectory toward C‑suite positions.
• Innovation Labs: Participation in arenaflex’s innovation hubs, where you can prototype new partnership models, test emerging technologies, and shape the future of the beverage industry.
• Continuous Learning: Subsidized certifications in digital marketing, data analytics, and strategic partnership management.
• Rotational Assignments: Opportunities to rotate through brand, commercial, and insight teams, broadening your functional expertise.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

arenaflex fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performance culture where curiosity is celebrated and bold ideas are encouraged. Our teams operate in a hybrid model, blending the flexibility of remote work with vibrant, purpose‑driven office hubs. Key cultural pillars include:

• Customer‑First Mindset: Every decision is filtered through the lens of delivering superior value to our partners and end‑consumers.
• Innovation at Scale: We champion experimentation, leveraging data and technology to unlock new growth pathways.
• Diversity & Inclusion: A commitment to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, ensuring diverse perspectives drive our strategies.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication channels, regular town‑halls, and cross‑functional workshops keep everyone aligned and informed.
• Well‑Being Focus: Comprehensive wellness programs, flexible scheduling, and employee resource groups support work‑life harmony.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive total rewards package designed to attract and retain top talent. While exact figures will be discussed during the interview process, candidates can expect:

• Base salary aligned with senior‑director market benchmarks.
• Performance‑based annual bonus tied to measurable growth outcomes.
• Long‑term incentive opportunities, including equity participation.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and flexible holiday policies.
• Retirement savings plans with company matching contributions.
• Professional development stipend, tuition reimbursement, and access to industry conferences.
• Employee discount programs on arenaflex products and partner brands.
• Wellness resources such as on‑site fitness centers, virtual health platforms, and mental‑health support.

How to Apply

If you are a forward‑thinking leader who thrives on turning ambiguous challenges into measurable growth, we invite you to join arenaflex’s dynamic Business Development COE. Bring your strategic vision, partnership expertise, and passion for innovation to a role that will shape the future of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

Ready to make an impact? Apply Job!

Closing Statement

arenaflex is committed to building a diverse team where every voice matters. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Take the next step in your career journey and help us drive the next chapter of growth, partnership, and consumer delight.