Senior Director of Sales & Business Development

Believer Meats is a global leader in cultivated meat production, poised to transform the food industry at scale. Harnessing advanced biotechnology, we deliver sustainable, ethical, and high-quality meat products designed to meet the growing global demand for protein without the environmental impact of traditional farming. With the largest production facility of its kind in the world and a clear path to market, we are set to redefine the future of food. We are seeking a Senior Director of Sales & Business Development to drive our commercial expansion into foodservice and help lead the industry's shift toward sustainable meat solutions.

JOB SUMMARY

This high-impact role is ideal for someone with a sharp commercial mind, a culinary background, and experience launching new food products-especially into foodservice. The ideal candidate will thrive in fast-paced, cross-functional environments, and are as comfortable in a kitchen tasting as you are in a strategic planning session.

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer Senior Director of Sales & Business Development will play a critical role in refining and executing our go-to-market strategy, building customer relationships, and translating our product into a compelling culinary experience. You will be responsible not only for building early sales momentum, but also for clarifying and segmenting both customer (e.g., chefs, foodservice operators, distributors) and consumer audiences to ensure our positioning and engagement strategies are tightly aligned.

You will collaborate closely with Product Development, R&D, and Marketing colleagues to shape customer engagement, ensure strong product-market fit, and drive early commercial partnerships. Your primary focus will be executing the commercial plan with excellence to ensure a successful market launch of Believer Meats, positioning the brand and product as a tasty, healthful alternative of real meat grown without animals, that makes a positive impact on the planet, and appealing to customer menu decision-makers.

The role is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, with the expectation of regular on-site presence at our commercial kitchen in Wilson, NC for tastings, team meetings, and other in-person collaboration. Additional travel will be required based on business needs.

RESPONSIBILITES

Channel Strategy & Customer Prioritization

Define and prioritize key customer and consumer segments based on market research, culinary trends, and strategic positioning.

Develop a sustainable market coverage model rooted in fact-based insights and long-term growth strategy.

Establish performance metrics to guide customer engagement, channel selection, and go-to-market prioritization. Go-to-Market Leadership & Innovation Support

Launch our first cultivated meat product into foodservice by securing high-impact early adopter accounts and developing tailored customer engagement strategies.

Partner closely with Product, Culinary, and R&D teams to translate market needs into innovation opportunities and product roadmap decisions.

Act as a strategic bridge between product development and commercial application, bringing customer feedback and culinary insights into internal development discussions. Customer Engagement

Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities through targeted outreach, strategic prospecting, and leveraging industry networking. Set clear targets and track progress regularly.

Lead high-impact culinary walkthroughs and tastings, presenting the product's features, use cases, and preparation methods with confidence and credibility.

Build long-term relationships with chefs, foodservice partners, and decision-makers by understanding their needs and consistently presenting cultivated meat as an innovative solution, healthful, tasty, and that makes a positive impact on the planet. Marketing & Brand Alignment

Shape external messaging, trade materials, digital content, and storytelling that align with both customer priorities and brand identity.

Help craft product positioning and narratives tailored for different segments, including chefs, operators, and broader culinary influencers. Field Execution

Drive best-in-class field execution through structured performance management of internal sales resources and external broker partners.

Lead route-to-market planning, broker selection, and agency relationship management to support foodservice growth.

Partner with early customers to ensure strong menu presence and consistent brand messaging. Revenue Management

Build pricing structures and identify top revenue opportunities in collaboration with Finance and Commercial teams.

Oversee pipeline management from lead generation to close-ensuring timely follow-up, accurate forecasting, and disciplined execution.

Evaluate trade spend and sales programs to ensure optimal ROI and alignment with brand goals. QUALIFICATIONS

15+ years in business development, sales, or partnerships in the food industry, with a strong focus on foodservice.

Culinary training or hands-on experience in food product development, chef relations, or restaurant operations.

Proven success launching new food products or categories into foodservice environments.

Strong understanding of customer segmentation, consumer insights, and how to tailor messaging for different audiences.

Experience with B2B sales and long-lead sales cycles typical of foodservice.

Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills; confident leading tastings and product walk-throughs.

Established network of chefs, restaurant groups, or foodservice distributors.

Start-up mentality-adaptable, proactive, and excited to build from the ground up.

Ideally, experience in alternative protein, cultivated meat, or emerging food technologies.

Ideally, familiarity with regulatory considerations for novel food products.