Client Relations Specialist

Position Summary:

The Client Relations Specialist drives Opaa!’s growth by securing new business, expanding existing accounts, and strengthening client partnerships. This role combines relationship management, consultative selling, financial insight, and leadership development to deliver value-added solutions that enhance client satisfaction and operational performance. Partnering closely with Finance, Operations, and Field Leadership, this position develops data-driven proposals, supports client engagement strategies, and helps strengthen leadership capabilities across the field. Demonstrate and promote behavior consistent with Opaa!’s Core Values: 1.) Act in the Best Interest of the students, schools, and communities we serve, 2.) Be honest in everything we do, 3.) Have a passion to serve others, and 4.) Commit to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities aligned with Opaa!’s strategic growth goals
• Partner with Business Development and Operations to support RFPs, proposals, and client presentations
• Drive expansion within existing accounts by identifying and selling value-added services (e.g., program enhancements, operational efficiencies, new service models)
• Maintain a strong pipeline of opportunities and actively track progress toward growth targets
• Build and maintain strong, consultative relationships with key client stakeholders
• Serve as a trusted advisor by understanding client needs and aligning Opaa! solutions accordingly
• Conduct regular business reviews with clients to assess performance, identify opportunities, and reinforce partnership value
• Collaborate with Finance to develop accurate, compelling financial models and presentations
• Interpret and communicate food service financials (P&L, cost structures, participation trends, labor models) to support decision-making
• Ensure proposals and recommendations are financially sound, competitive, and aligned with company targets
• Lead the creation of high-impact, client-facing presentations and materials
• Translate data and operational insights into clear, compelling narratives
• Support and present in client meetings, pitches, and strategic reviews
• Partner with field leadership (DOs, OMs) to build capabilities in client engagement, financial acumen, and growth mindset
• Provide coaching and guidance on identifying and executing account growth opportunities
• Support training initiatives that strengthen leadership bench and client relationship skills
• Develop and deliver engaging training presentations to support leadership development, operational excellence, and client service initiatives
• Attend all meetings as required by Opaa! Food Management.
• All other duties as assigned by Opaa! Food Management.

Marginal Functions: No marginal functions identified.

Physical/Visual Activities or Demands:

Physical/visual activities or demands that are commonly associated with the performance of the function of this job.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently require to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, kneel, crawl, push, pull, grasp, feel, taste, smell, talk, hear and reach with hands and arms.
2. The employee must exert over 60 pounds of force occasionally and/or be able to frequently lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 25 pounds.
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include concentrated attention, depth perception, ability to bring objects into sharp focus, color vision.

Working Conditions: Working conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Inside and outside working conditions.
• Frequent travel is required. Overnight travel may be required as dictated by the location of the client. When visiting kitchens:
• Frequently works around moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and extreme heat.
• Occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and extreme cold.
• Noise level is usually loud.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s Degree minimum.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in client relationship management, account management, leadership development, education or a related field.
• Experience developing and maintaining strong client partnerships with a consultative, service-oriented approach.
• Experience supporting business development initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and communicate financial information, including budgets, profit and loss statements, labor, and operational metrics.
• Experience creating and delivering professional presentations and facilitating training for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across multiple departments and organizational levels.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience in school nutrition, foodservice management, hospitality, or a related service industry is strongly preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%, including overnight travel, as business needs require.

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids that may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position:

Dishwasher, Steamer/Kettle, Mixer, Oven, Stove, Fryers, Slicer, Thermometers, Gauges, Knives, Box Cutters, Meal Counting Software, Desktop PCs, Calculator, Telephone, Fax, Scanner, Copier, Printer.

License(s)/Certification(s) required: Serve Safe Certification, SNA Level 1 Certification, as required.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

“Commonly associated” is not intended to mean always or only. There are different experiences that suggest other ways or circumstances where reasonable changes or accommodations are appropriate.

All activities, Demands, Conditions, and Requirements are linked to Essential Job Functions unless marked with an asterisk, which denotes linkage only to marginal function(s).

Opaa! is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.