Head of Business Development – Co-packing

About the role

We are seeking a Head of Business Development to launch and scale a new co‑packing revenue stream for a leading craft‑beverage producer. This ground‑floor position will own the end‑to‑end sales process, from identifying market demand to closing contracts and onboarding partners, while working closely with operations, quality assurance, and senior leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Build a pipeline of co‑packing opportunities from scratch and convert prospects into signed contracts.
• Analyze market demand and align it with the company’s production capabilities across beer, RTD, cider, and related categories.
• Own the full sales cycle – outreach, negotiation, contract execution, and onboarding.
• Structure deals that maximize margin, capacity utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with operations, QA, and leadership to ensure seamless execution.
• Position the company as the preferred co‑packing partner in target regions.

Required profile

• 7+ years of experience in beverage co‑packing, contract manufacturing, or related commercial roles.
• Proven track record of generating new business and closing complex deals.
• Deep understanding of co‑packing economics, pricing models, and production constraints.
• Established industry relationships and knowledge of volume sources.
• Highly external‑facing, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build a function from zero.

Required skills