Director Product Development Food Beverage Jobs

Job Category: Sales

Requisition Number: DIREC002636

Locations: WaterSurplus, 726 Beacon St, Loves Park, IL 61111, USA

Hawkins, Inc./WaterSurplus is a trusted and well-known leader in the chemical industry for over 80 years. We have opportunities for motivated hard workers to learn and develop a career with our Water Treatment business segment. Our route sales/delivery approach to supplying products and equipment to our customers in 27+ states ensures superb customer service and support. Our customers include water and wastewater treatment systems, municipal and commercial swimming pools, industrial process and wastewater facilities, and industries like oil/gas and agricultural farmers/growers.

The Director of Business Development is responsible for driving strategic growth and expanding market share within the Food & Beverage manufacturing sector by developing new business opportunities for industrial water and wastewater treatment equipment, process water systems, water reuse technologies, and related service solutions. This leadership role is responsible for identifying high-value opportunities, cultivating executive relationships with food and beverage manufacturers, engineering firms, system integrators, and EPC contractors, while positioning the company as a trusted partner for sustainable water management solutions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute strategic business development plans focused on the Food & Beverage manufacturing market.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new capital equipment opportunities involving process water, wastewater treatment, water reuse, filtration, disinfection, and utility optimization systems.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with plant managers, engineering directors, operations leaders, corporate sustainability teams, and procurement professionals.
• Develop partnerships with engineering consultants, design-build firms, OEMs, and system integrators to increase project opportunities.
• Lead consultative sales efforts by understanding customer production processes, water quality challenges, environmental compliance requirements, and operational goals.
• Manage the complete sales cycle including prospecting, solution development, proposal preparation, contract negotiations, and project closeout.
• Collaborate with engineering, applications, operations, and project management teams to deliver customized technical solutions.
• Monitor industry trends, capital investment plans, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory developments affecting water management within Food & Beverage manufacturing.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, customer events, and professional organizations.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, opportunity pipelines, and CRM reporting.
• Mentor regional sales managers and business development professionals while promoting a high-performance sales culture.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 10+ years of successful business development, technical sales, or account management experience in water treatment, process equipment, or related industrial markets.
• Proven success selling capital equipment, engineered systems, or process technologies to industrial manufacturing and/or municipal customers.
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, including filtration, membrane systems, chemical treatment, utility operations, and water reuse applications.
• Experience developing and managing complex sales opportunities involving multiple stakeholders and long sales cycles.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with executive, technical, and operational decision-makers.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and strategic account planning skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and results oriented.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Word).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving Food & Beverage manufacturing markets.
• Experience working with municipal utilities, consulting engineers, contractors, or EPC firms.
• Knowledge of CIP systems, sanitary process design, sustainability initiatives, and environmental compliance.
• Experience with process design engineering.
• Existing relationships within industrial or municipal water treatment markets.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near and far vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. May lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

TRAVEL:

50-75% local and air travel (10-15 days per month)

COMPENSATION: $150k-180k + Commission

Hawkins/WaterSurplus offers eligible employees and their dependents comprehensive benefits, which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, LTD/STD and more. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) match, Employee Stock Purchase program (ESPP), paid time off, and paid holidays.

All applications must be received online. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. Hawkins is a Drug Free workplace

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.