Business Development Manager

Company Description

Cacao de Colombie is a specialty cocoa company dedicated to connecting exceptional producers with passionate bean-to-bar chocolatiers and artisan chocolate makers. The team is made up of highly qualified, ethical professionals who focus on origin-driven excellence, authenticity, and long-term partnerships. Local teams in producing regions work closely with farmers to select the best vintages each year and manage every post-harvest process, from plantation to chocolate factory, ensuring consistent, high-grade quality. The company specializes in fine flavor criollo and trinitario cocoa beans, Grade A++, with unique sensory profiles that are not sold through traditional channels. Cacao de Colombie aims to help chocolatiers innovate, differentiate their creations, and positively transform the chocolate industry.

Role Description

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving growth by identifying, engaging, and developing strategic relationships with artisan chocolatiers, bean-to-bar makers, and other specialty chocolate partners. This contract role is based in Fayence with a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site meetings, events, and collaboration with remote work-from-home flexibility. Day-to-day responsibilities include prospecting new clients, managing a sales pipeline, conducting needs assessments, and proposing tailored cocoa solutions and blends that align with each client’s brand and product vision. The role also involves negotiating contracts, coordinating with production and logistics teams to ensure reliable supply, and gathering market insights to inform product development and positioning. The Business Development Manager represents Cacao de Colombie at industry events, maintains strong relationships with existing partners, and supports marketing initiatives that promote the company’s values of proximity, authenticity, ethics, expertise, and excellence.

Qualifications

• Business development and sales skills, including prospecting, pipeline management, negotiation, and account management.
• Experience in the food, beverage, or chocolate industry, with understanding of specialty or premium product markets and value chain dynamics.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate technical and sensory aspects of cocoa in a clear, compelling way.
• Strategic thinking and market analysis skills, including the ability to identify opportunities, segment customers, and develop growth plans.
• Relationship‑building and partnership management skills, with a collaborative approach to working with producers, artisans, and internal teams.
• Comfort with hybrid work (on-site in Fayence and remote), excellent organizational skills, and self‑directed work style.
• Proficiency in standard business tools (CRM systems, office productivity software) and ability to report on performance metrics.
• Fluency in English; professional proficiency in French and/or Spanish is a strong advantage.
• Bachelor