Senior Director, Customer Growth & Business Development – Strategic Leadership for FSOP Market Expansion at arenaflex

About arenaflex – A Global Icon of Refreshment and Innovation

arenaflex is a world‑renowned leader in beverage and refreshment solutions, with a heritage that spans more than a century. Our portfolio of iconic brands reaches millions of consumers daily, and our commitment to sustainability, creativity, and community impact drives every decision we make. At arenaflex, we are on a mission to refresh the world, inspire moments of optimism, and create value for our partners, customers, and employees alike. As we continue to evolve, we are looking for visionary leaders who can shape the future of our business and help us unlock new growth opportunities across the foodservice and on‑premise (FSOP) landscape.

Position Overview – Senior Director, Customer Growth & Business Development

The Senior Director, Customer Growth Business Development role is a newly created, high‑impact position within the arenaflex FSOP Business Development Center of Excellence (COE). Reporting to senior leadership, you will serve as the strategic bridge between arenaflex and our existing and prospective customers, championing the voice of the market and translating it into actionable growth strategies. This role blends strategic relationship building, cross‑functional leadership, and innovative marketing stewardship to secure new business, expand category share, and sustain a robust pipeline of renewals.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Direct all growth and customer‑marketing initiatives for the Business Development COE, setting clear objectives, KPIs, and roadmaps that align with arenaflex’s broader commercial goals.
• Executive Relationship Management: Cultivate and deepen relationships with C‑suite marketing executives at top-tier foodservice customers, acting as the trusted advisor for arenaflex’s brand portfolio.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Lead internal stakeholder teams—including Insights, Digital, Brand, Assets, and Commercial—to secure resources and alignment for business development projects.
• Stewardship Material Development: Oversee the creation of compelling customer stewardship tools (e.g., “Why arenaflex Evolution,” value‑bundle presentations) that empower frontline sales and marketing teams.
• Insight Generation: Provide deep customer insights to brand, integrated marketing, innovation, and strategy teams, identifying gaps and recommending research initiatives to win new business or retain existing accounts.
• Trend Identification & Solution Design: Analyze market trends, competitive gaps, and emerging consumer behaviors; partner with internal subject‑matter experts to develop innovative solutions and commercialize best practices.
• Communication & Alignment: Design and execute communication plans for senior leadership, utilizing newsletters, executive decks, video briefings, and face‑to‑face meetings to ensure consistent messaging and strategic alignment.
• Industry Engagement: Represent arenaflex at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events, building the company’s reputation as a thought leader in the FSOP space.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor and report on the health of the growth pipeline, renewal rates, and the impact of stewardship initiatives, adjusting tactics as needed to meet or exceed targets.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, agency work, or CPG environments, with a strong focus on foodservice or on‑premise customers.
• Demonstrated expertise in customer‑marketing or shopper‑marketing, preferably within the FSOP segment.
• Proven track record of developing and executing unique, high‑impact beverage partnership strategies that drive measurable growth.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to persuade senior executives and cross‑functional teams.
• Comfortable leading complex, long‑term projects that involve multiple stakeholders and ambiguous pathways.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities; a solution‑oriented mindset that thrives in uncertainty.
• Excellent planning, organization, and change‑management capabilities.
• Ability to travel 20‑30% of the time, including domestic visits to key customer sites and industry events.

Preferred Qualifications & Additional Attributes

• Advanced degree (MBA or Master’s) in Marketing, Business Strategy, or a related discipline.
• Experience working directly with large‑scale foodservice operators, restaurant chains, or hospitality groups.
• Hands‑on experience with digital marketing platforms, data‑driven insight tools, and emerging media channels.
• Demonstrated success in building and leading high‑performing teams in fast‑moving environments.
• Fluency in multiple languages or experience in international market expansion is a plus.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Brand Positioning & Value‑Bundle Development: Ability to articulate arenaflex’s brand story and translate it into compelling value propositions for customers.
• Channel Management & Competitive Analysis: Deep understanding of channel dynamics, competitor moves, and market share drivers.
• Creative Briefing & Digital Media Strategy: Crafting clear creative briefs and guiding digital media execution that resonates with target audiences.
• Group Problem Solving & Agile Learning: Collaborative approach to solving complex business challenges and quickly adapting to new information.
• Marketing Activation & Shopper Insights: Designing activation plans that drive purchase behavior and leveraging shopper insights to refine tactics.
• Strategic Communication: Mastery of storytelling through presentations, newsletters, and multimedia formats.
• SWOT & Market Trend Analysis: Conducting rigorous SWOT assessments and translating findings into actionable strategies.

Career Growth, Learning & Development

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

• Mentorship from global marketing executives and senior business leaders.
• Executive‑level training programs focused on strategic leadership, digital transformation, and advanced analytics.
• Opportunities to lead cross‑regional initiatives, expanding your influence beyond the United States to emerging markets.
• Participation in arenaflex’s Innovation Lab, where you can prototype new product concepts and test market‑ready solutions.
• A clear promotion pathway to Vice President‑level roles, based on performance, impact, and leadership capabilities.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our culture is built on four core behaviors: curious, empowered, inclusive, and agile. At arenaflex, you will experience:

• Inclusive Collaboration: Diverse teams that value every voice, fostering an environment where ideas flourish.
• Growth Mindset: A culture that encourages continuous learning, experimentation, and personal development.
• Purpose‑Driven Impact: The chance to work on the world’s most recognized beverage brands while contributing to sustainability and community initiatives.
• Flexibility & Balance: Hybrid work options, generous paid time off, and resources that support work‑life integration.
• Recognition & Rewards: Regular acknowledgment of achievements through awards, performance bonuses, and public celebration of successes.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive total rewards package that reflects the seniority and impact of this role:

• Base Salary: $175,000 – $201,000, commensurate with experience, location, and market benchmarks.
• Annual Incentive: Target bonus of 30% of base salary, tied to individual and company performance.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, along with mental‑health resources and wellness stipends.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match to help you build long‑term financial security.
• Paid Time Off & Holidays: Generous vacation accruals, paid holidays, and parental leave.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, certification support, and access to industry conferences.
• Employee Discounts: Access to arenaflex product discounts and exclusive brand experiences.

Why Join arenaflex?

If you are a strategic thinker who thrives in ambiguous environments, loves building high‑impact relationships with senior marketers, and is passionate about driving growth for a globally recognized brand, this is the role for you. At arenaflex, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of beverage partnership strategies, influencing multi‑billion‑dollar business decisions, and leaving a lasting imprint on the industry.

Application Process

Ready to lead the next wave of customer growth at arenaflex? Submit your resume and a compelling cover letter that showcases your experience, vision, and why you are the ideal candidate for this senior leadership role. We look forward to learning how your expertise will help us continue to refresh the world.

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arenaflex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.