Business Development Manager (New Venture)

Business Development Manager (New Venture)

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Remote OK)

Employment Type: Full-time (Potentially, contract start.)

Salary: $120k base (DOE)

Start Date: ASAP

Reports to: Initially Senior Executive (SF), then Japan HQ

About the Role

A new initiative is launching to bring healthy, high-quality lunchbox meals to children across the U.S., rooted in the values of Japanese food culture. Originally started as a side project by a senior executive, the business is now entering full-scale launch. We are seeking a passionate and entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to take over operations and drive national growth.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a mission-driven startup within an established global organization, with freedom to shape strategy and scale impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the the school lunch business
• Create and execute a growth strategy, including direct outreach (cold calls), school partnerships, and local engagement
• Manage daily operations: sales, cost/profit analysis, HR coordination, basic accounting, and even occasional delivery support
• Liaise with internal stakeholders in the U.S. and Japan, including regular reporting to the HQ
• Expand the reach beyond the Bay Area, adapting strategy for regional markets

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Deeply motivated by the vision of improving children’s meals and delivering “delicious memories” across the U.S.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to build and grow a business from scratch
• Passionate about food and wellness, with the creativity to bring ideas to life
• Strong appreciation of Japanese culture and skills to communicate in Japanese.
• Experience in sales, marketing, or general business operations is strongly preferred
• Capable of working independently in a fast-paced, startup-like environment
• Flexible for occasional travel and in-person meetings during school outreach or operational visits