Business Development Manager

• Contract 30 hours per week
• Flexible working but 80% on the road
• Shut down over Christmas
• Looking for the next step from Sales Rep

About us

Chia Sisters is New Zealand's most awarded drinks brand, working at the front of the fastest growing category in chilled drinks. We are a certified B Corp that's net zero carbon running out of a solar powered juicery at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. Our range is at the forefront of leading food research around fibre, gut health and plant proteins.

About the role

This contract role exists to accelerate Chia Sisters' growth in the Sydney market by winning new stockists, broadening the range carried in existing accounts, and embedding the brand properly at store level. The BDM works hand-in-hand with the Distributor to help close deals, then owns a structured 3-month plan in every new stockist to build sell-through and visibility — before formally handing the account over to the Distributor territory rep for ongoing management.

Key responsibilities

• Build and manage a target pipeline of Sydney metro and greater Sydney stockists (independents, grocery banners, health/organic retailers) aligned to Chia Sisters' channel strategy
• Identify range-expansion opportunities within existing Sydney accounts to grow breadth beyond hero SKUs
• Represent the Chia Sisters brand at trade shows, market visits, and in-store meetings across the Sydney territory
• Manage new business calls and pitches to provide brand expertise, category insight, and deal support
• Prepare pitch materials, pricing/promo support, and range recommendations tailored to each prospective stockist
• Act as the direct link between Chia Sisters and Distributor during the sell-in phase, keeping both sides aligned on terms and timing
• Execute a structured 3-month plan for every new stockist, designed to establish the brand properly before responsibility transitions to Distributor's territory rep
• Formally hand over each account to the relevant Distributor rep at the end of the 3-month plan, with a documented account profile and agreed targets
• Maintain a running handover log/dashboard tracking accounts being targeted, negotiations underway, being activated and handed over
• Remain available to Distributor reps for occasional follow-up support on brand or range questions post-handover

About you

• Experience in FMCG or food & beverage field sales or business development, ideally within grocery or independent retail channels
• Comfortable working through a distributor model — influencing and supporting rather than owning the direct account relationship long-term
• Strong in-store merchandising and category conversation skills
• Own vehicle and ability to travel across the Sydney metro area
• NSW driver's licence
• Organised self-starter, comfortable managing a multi-account pipeline against a 3-month cadence

Benefits

• Join the team behind New Zealand's most awarded drinks brand, working at the front of the fastest growing category in chilled drinks
• Be part of one of Sydney's fastest growing brands in the premium functional drinks category
• Work for a certified B Corp that's net zero carbon running out of a solar powered juicery at the top of the South Island of New Zealand
• Get exposure to the forefront of nutrition innovation with insight into the innovation pipeline to market as part of the role