Senior Business Development Lead - Design/Innovation Services (CPG Industry)

Our client, a leading employee-owned design consultancy with global reach, is seeking a dynamic Business Development Lead to spearhead growth in the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG/FMCG) sector across North America. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead sales efforts for a company that partners with major multinational brands on innovation opportunities in science, technology, manufacturing, packaging, and sustainability.

As Business Development Lead, you'll be responsible for growing sales efforts in the CPG sector with a clear focus on North America. You'll identify new commercial opportunities, work closely with the Head of FMCG/CPG, and support client managers, project leaders, and technical specialists throughout the sales journey. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on business development, requiring both entrepreneurial drive and the ability to work with major multinational clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive proactive sales outreach to originate opportunities with current and target CPG clients
• Maintain frequent contact with prospects through email, calls, video conferences, and site visits
• Translate client problems, briefs, and RFPs into clear objectives with scoped deliverables
• Provide subject matter expertise during sales processes and collaborate with capability experts
• Support annual strategy development and implementation for the FMCG/CPG division
• Build comprehensive knowledge of end-to-end capabilities and service propositions
• Maintain market intelligence to inform strategy and sales focus
• Manage CRM systems and provide regular pipeline forecasting
• Create compelling sales collateral and account plans for each client
• Collaborate across teams to promote teamwork within the CPG sector and broader business

Essential:

• Senior-level technical consultancy experience in CPG/FMCG with extensive multinational sales exposure
• Proven track record of >$2.5M in annual profitable sales
• Strong commercial experience with multinational clients across beauty, beverage, consumer health, food, snacks, and home care categories
• Excellent relationship-building skills and high emotional intelligence for long-term client partnerships
• Strategic sales leadership with expertise in CRM, forecasting, and proposal writing
• Manufacturing, packaging, and sustainability knowledge within FMCG/CPG environment
• Established network of relevant contacts across US and/or EU markets

Preferred:

• 15-20 years of progressive experience in technical consultancy or CPG sales
• Leadership experience to help organize and direct teams supporting CPG growth
• Bilingual capabilities (Spanish or German advantageous)
• Experience with sustainable materials, ingredients, and innovative processes
• Background in technology start-ups or new product development environments

• Base Salary: $150,000

• Variable Compensation: $100,000 potential
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life and Disability coverage
• 401(k) with 6% company match
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness programs and corporate discounts
• Travel expense reimbursement

Work Environment

Location: Raleigh, NC preferred, but open to candidates across East Coast
Work Style: Hybrid/Remote flexibility
Travel: Approximately 25% travel (including ~1 week international per month for client meetings and conferences)
Special Requirements: Ability to work across time zones with UK headquarters team

Why This Role?

Join an employee-owned organization where you'll have global exposure, cross-sector experience, and leadership visibility. This is an opportunity to build a new vertical from the ground up, working with some of the world's leading CPG brands while being part of a company culture that values real relationships, purposeful collaboration, and bold excellence.

The successful candidate will help establish and grow this critical sector while having the potential for future leadership expansion as the division scales.

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