Business Development Manager

22nd Century Group, Inc. is a U.S. based contract manufacturer of combustible tobacco products and the exclusive producer of VLN® reduced-nicotine cigarettes. The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying new account opportunities, building relationships, and driving revenue growth through strategic planning and market research.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new business account opportunities in existing and new markets
• Develop and implement strategic business development plans to achieve revenue and market-share goals
• Conduct market research to understand industry trends, competitive landscape, and potential partnerships
• Generate leads through networking, referrals, and targeted outreach
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with key clients and stakeholders
• Manage the full sales cycle from prospecting to negotiation and assist sales team in closing deals
• Prepare and deliver presentations, proposals, and pitches tailored to wholesaler and retailer needs
• Support the responses and other business documents
• Work closely with sales and marketing teams to align strategies and ensure smooth project delivery
• Collaborate with sales team to create retail programs, including merchandising and promotional strategies
• Partner with the team to launch new products based on market demand and consumer insights
• Provide feedback to internal teams on market needs and customer preferences
• Track KPIs, sales metrics, and pipeline status consumer feedback, and competitive activity
• Produce regular reports on business development activities and outcomes
• Provide data-driven insights and regular performance reports to sales management

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or partnerships
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills
• Proven ability to meet or exceed sales targets
• Excellent relationship-building and networking abilities
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills