Director Strategic Market Development (50380)

We are Merrychef! We design, manufacture and supply best-in-class commercial high-speed ovens for the global foodservice market. We empower you to grow with us. We recognize you and reward you. We win together as one team.

The Director Strategic Market Development is responsible for identifying, developing, and expanding Merrychef’s presence within non‑traditional foodservice segments, including healthcare, higher education, corporate dining, food manufacturing, government, and specialty institutional environments. This leader will build strategic partnerships across the foodservice ecosystem, develop segment‑specific go‑to‑market strategies, expand distribution pathways, and enhance brand visibility across emerging verticals.

A core focus of the role is building long‑term, value‑driven relationships with food manufacturing partners to align menu development, product innovation, and equipment capabilities in ways that deliver measurable value to end users. The role is highly collaborative, requiring close alignment with Sales, Marketing, Culinary, Product, consultants, and external partners to accelerate growth in underdeveloped market channels.

Reporting directly to the VP Sales, this position will be based out of Coppell, TX, with the ability to work remotely.** Frequent travel is required.

Major Accountability:

• New Market Segment Strategy
• Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Building
• Channel and Distribution Development
• Demand Creation and Education
• Performance Management and Market Intelligence

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Market Expansion & Strategy Development: Identify growth opportunities across non traditional institutional segments; develop segment specific go to market strategies focused on customer needs, procurement processes, and operational workflows.
• Strategic Relationship Building: Build and sustain strong relationships with food manufacturers, consultants, healthcare procurement leads, university dining directors, corporate dining stakeholders, and grocery/retail decision makers to influence specifications, menu strategies and purchasing decisions.
• Food Manufacturing Partnerships & Menu Alignment: Collaborate with food manufacturing partners on menu development and product focus to ensure offerings are optimized for Merrychef technology, operational performance, and real‑world end‑user needs. Act as the connection point between market alignment, partner product innovation and operator success.
• Sales Channel Development: Partner with internal sales leadership to define effective distribution pathways for institutional and non-traditional buyers, including alternative dealer networks, GPOs, food manufacturing collaborations, and specialty channel models.
• Ecosystem & Industry Partnerships: Engage with key industry associations, trade groups, consultant networks, and manufacturer partners to elevate brand visibility, create thought leadership opportunities, and expand access to target segments.
• Demand Creation, Training & Education: Deliver targeted education through product demonstrations, culinary collaboration, webinars, test kitchen sessions, and curated content that highlight Merrchef’s value in partnership-driven and menu-led solutions.
• Competitive & Market Intelligence: Monitor trends, competitor activity, food manufacturing innovation, emerging technologies, and regulatory shifts to strengthen market positioning and inform strategic decisions.
• Cross Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Product, and Culinary teams to develop targeted campaigns, segment-specific messaging, and solution bundles, and co-developed offerings that align with customer and end-user needs.
• Performance Metrics: Track and report segment performance, including new partnerships, specification wins, menu integrations, pipeline growth, and revenue expansion across non traditional and food manufacturing-linked markets.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Job Requirements:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in commercial foodservice equipment sales, strategic market development, institutional channel expansion, or food manufacturing related environments is required.
• Demonstrated success growing business in healthcare, education, government/military, corporate dining, food manufacturing, managed services , or other non-traditional foodservice segments.
• Proven ability to build and sustain long‑term strategic partnerships with food manufacturers, operators, consultants, engineers, and procurement/GPO stakeholders.
• Experience with high‑speed cooking technologies, ventless solutions, or kitchen automation (preferred).
• Background in spec writing, kitchen design standards, or equipment standardization programs (preferred).
• Strong go-to-market strategy, market segmentation, and business development experience across complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), that can transcend all levels of the business, including empathy for the end-user.
• Experience leading product demonstrations, testing initiatives or operator validations.
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage time and multi-task in an ever-changing work environment.
• Business acumen and experience in business case development. Ability to translate customer culinary needs into actionable solutions.
• Excellent leadership, teamwork, collaboration, negotiating and strategy development skills.
• Proficiency in computer software; including spreadsheets, databases and presentation platforms.
• Ability to create compelling customer-facing and internal content; including presentations, playbooks, training materials, and sales enablement tools.
• Consistently operate in a manner that aligns to the Company Core Values.
• Strong culinary knowledge and experience collaborating with food manufacturing partners, culinary teams, and operators to develop menu solutions optimized for high-speed cooking technology, operational efficiency, and end-user satisfaction.
• Ability to translate culinary and operational needs into strategic equipment solutions through product demonstrations, menu development, testing initiatives, and customer-facing culinary presentations.
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with Culinary, Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to support menu innovation, customer education, and demand creation across non-traditional foodservice segments.
• Consistently demonstrate alignment to Company core values.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit/stand/walk for extended periods of time in a commercial kitchen environment, office setting, tradeshow/event, or in the field.
• Must be able to lift, push, or pull 50 pounds.
• Ability to work extended hours, as needed.
• Ability to travel – up 75% of the time -  regionally, locally and requiring overnights. Occasional international travel.
• Must have valid US passport and driver’s license.

Our Benefits:

We believe that our people our one of our most valuable assets. That’s why we provide our employees with a competitive benefits package that helps protect their health, income and lifestyle. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location, and can include the following:

•            Competitive wage

•            Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

•            401(k) savings plan

•            Wellness Program

•            Supplemental Health Plans

•            Employee Assistance Program

•            Training and Development

•            Holiday Pay opportunities

•            Employee discounts

•            Paid Time Off (PTO)

•            On-the-job training and skills development

•            Basic Life Insurance

•            Leave Program

•            Employee Events and more…

For more information about Merrychef, visit www.merrychef.com

Welbilt, Inc. provides the world’s top chefs, premier chain operators and growing independents with industry-leading equipment and solutions. Our innovative products and solutions are powered by our deep knowledge, operator insights, and culinary expertise. Our portfolio of 12 award-winning product brands includes Cleveland™, Convotherm®, Crem®, Delfield®, Frymaster®, Garland®, Kolpak®, Lincoln™, Manitowoc®, Merco®, Merrychef® and Multiplex®. These product brands are supported by three service brands: KitchenCare®, our aftermarket parts and service brand, FitKitchen®, our fully-integrated kitchen systems brand, and KitchenConnect®, our cloud-based digital platform brand. Headquartered in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, supported by over 5,400 employees and operating 21 manufacturing facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, we sell through a global network of over 5,000 distributors and dealers in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.welbilt.com.

Welbilt, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity in the workplace.  All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, medical condition, or any other status protected by law. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge, abilities, and business need.

**This position is open to candidates who are authorized to work and reside in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,  North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virgina, Wisconsin or Wyoming. Due to payroll, tax, and employment law requirements, applicants must be located in one of these states at time of hire.

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