State Business Development Manager - Independents

Location: melbourne
Job Type: permanent
Salary: Competitive salary package with uncapped earning potential.
Contact: Alex Iaconelli
About the Company
Our client is a proudly family-owned foodservice distributor based in Victoria, with a heritage spanning over 30 years. Built on relationships, integrity, and hands-on experience, the business services well over 1,000 active clients, including high end restaurants, cafés, and bars—delivering 300–400 orders daily across the state. With a strong culture of loyalty and long-standing staff tenure, the team are known for their relationship-driven sales approach and our client maintain a trusted reputation in the industry and continue to grow as a premium foodservice partner across Victoria.

About the Role
This newly created role offers a rare opportunity to lead the launch of a premium product range into the independent retail channel. As State Business Development Manager, you’ll drive new business with State based MSO Groups such as Richie’s and specialty delis and stores across Victoria. You’ll bring strong commercial acumen with existing relationships within the independents channel, and a passion for high-quality food. This role involves managing the full business development process, from prospecting and pitching to onboarding and managing key retail accounts. You’ll collaborate closely with internal marketing teams to support retail campaigns, build in-store visibility, and prepare for major promotional events. As the key commercial driver for this new business direction, you’ll also contribute to product strategy, pricing, and in store retail execution.

Skills & Expertise
To be successful in this role, you’ll have demonstrated experience driving business within the independents channel where you’ll have formed solid relationships with proven success. Familiarity with deli, smallgoods, or specialty grocery will be advantageous. The ideal candidate brings a strong sense of brand, understands the retail sales cycle, and has the commercial insight to help shape a new channel from the ground up. A passion for premium food, combined with strategic thinking and a collaborative mindset, will be key. You’ll also need to be comfortable working in an entrepreneurial environment, where autonomy and initiative are highly valued.

Six Degrees Executive acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

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