Aaron Bischoff
Dexter
Summary
A results-oriented Business Development Manager with experience in sales and culinary leadership roles. Led and managed new business growth for natural food company. Expertise in leading teams to improve performance, customer loyalty, and forging partnerships with internal and external partners. Specializes in helping companies launch new services and products, from concept to roll-out. Extensive experience in the sustainable food systems including growers, distribution points, and contracts. Former executive chef who isn't afraid to lead team by example, passionate about food, deep roots in radical hospitality.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development
Chef Source
04.2023 - 04.2025
- Strategized to penetrate market in different sales channels to strengthen Chef Source.
- Successfully growing business month over month.
- Worked to onboard oat milk to capture new sales channel.
- Oat milk became top seller.
Business Development
Chef Source
04.2023 - 04.2025
- Strategized to penetrate market in different sales channels to strengthen Chef Source.
- Successfully growing business month over month.
- Worked to onboard oat milk to capture new sales channel.
- Oat milk became top seller.
Business Development Manager
Cherry Capital Foods
04.2019 - 03.2023
- Built go to market strategies for overall business health while leading key account market penetration.
- Bult and streamlined system for corporate grocery sales and growth.
- Resulting in %30 growth YOY.
- Implemented inside sales program to support sales growth.
- Built relationships with farms for sourcing.
- Identify issues and developed unique and immediate solutions.
- Consistently exceeded quotas through penetration of new accounts.
- Top Salesperson.
- Top closer for company.
Business Development Manager
Cherry Capital Foods
04.2019 - 03.2023
- Built go to market strategies for overall business health while leading key account market penetration.
- Bult and streamlined system for corporate grocery sales and growth.
- Resulting in %30 growth YOY.
- Implemented inside sales program to support sales growth.
- Built relationships with farms for sourcing.
- Identify issues and developed unique and immediate solutions.
- Consistently exceeded quotas through penetration of new accounts.
- Top Salesperson.
- Top closer for company.
Business Development Manager
Fresh Picks
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Built wholesale business model from conceptualization to completion.
- Fresh Picks existed as local farm and vendor sourcing distributed direct to consumer in grocery format prior to my tenure.
- Build wholesale business from scratch to $400,000 in first year.
- Responsible for sourcing and developing profitable new business across hospitality segments.
- Developed sound business plan and strategy to penetrate market share.
- Negotiated and closed long-term contracts with new clients in assigned territory.
- Represented company and promoted products at conferences and trade association meetings.
Business Development Manager
Fresh Picks
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Built wholesale business model from conceptualization to completion.
- Fresh Picks existed as local farm and vendor sourcing distributed direct to consumer in grocery format prior to my tenure.
- Build wholesale business from scratch to $400,000 in first year.
- Responsible for sourcing and developing profitable new business across hospitality segments.
- Developed sound business plan and strategy to penetrate market share.
- Negotiated and closed long-term contracts with new clients in assigned territory.
- Represented company and promoted products at conferences and trade association meetings.
Sales Associate
The Chefs Warehouse
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Sales leader for high end import company.
- Managed, serviced and built existing accounts.
- Developed new business as well as established regional and independent restaurant business.
- Delivered consistent growth and built territory from zero in revenue to more the 26k weekly in less than a year.
- Prospected aggressively and opened more than 38 new accounts in the first year.
- Built a diverse book of business that included many segments of the hospitality industry.
Sales Associate
The Chefs Warehouse
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Sales leader for high end import company.
- Managed, serviced and built existing accounts.
- Developed new business as well as established regional and independent restaurant business.
- Delivered consistent growth and built territory from zero in revenue to more the 26k weekly in less than a year.
- Prospected aggressively and opened more than 38 new accounts in the first year.
- Built a diverse book of business that included many segments of the hospitality industry.
Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Provided overall management and supervision of prepared foods team and sub teams.
- Responsible for team member hiring, development, corrective actions, and terminations for 52 person team.
- Complete accountability for all aspects of team including profitability, expense control, merchandising, ordering, and regulatory compliance.
- Raised weekly sales from 57k to 68k consistently.
- Recognized and rewarded at regional level for outstanding work performance that cultivated a positive and collaborative customer service culture.
- Coached team members in customer service techniques to help them reach their highest sales potential.
Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Provided overall management and supervision of prepared foods team and sub teams.
- Responsible for team member hiring, development, corrective actions, and terminations for 52 person team.
- Complete accountability for all aspects of team including profitability, expense control, merchandising, ordering, and regulatory compliance.
- Raised weekly sales from 57k to 68k consistently.
- Recognized and rewarded at regional level for outstanding work performance that cultivated a positive and collaborative customer service culture.
- Coached team members in customer service techniques to help them reach their highest sales potential.
Executive Sous Chef
Levy Restaurants
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Responsible for day-to-day back of the house operations that delivered superior guest experience via hiring, training, recipe development, and brand adherence.
- Full accountability for food cost, purchasing, and kitchen P&L.
- Developed full, tasting, and special event menus.
- Managed staff schedules to optimize coverage during high business hours.
- Cultivated relationships with vendors to source high quality ingredients for competitive pricing.
Executive Sous Chef
Levy Restaurants
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Responsible for day-to-day back of the house operations that delivered superior guest experience via hiring, training, recipe development, and brand adherence.
- Full accountability for food cost, purchasing, and kitchen P&L.
- Developed full, tasting, and special event menus.
- Managed staff schedules to optimize coverage during high business hours.
- Cultivated relationships with vendors to source high quality ingredients for competitive pricing.
Executive Chef
X/O Chicago
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Created cuisine that consistently exceeded guest expectations, provided strong leadership while delivering cost saving goals.
- Full responsibility for setting and delivering culinary standards that established the restaurant as a Chicago destination as demonstrated by a three-star rating by both The Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun Times.
- Planned promotional menu additions based on seasonal pricing and product availability.
- Generated employee schedules, work assignments, and determined appropriate compensation rates.
- Hired, trained, and managed all culinary staff including professional development, performance reviews, and terminations.
Executive Chef
X/O Chicago
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Created cuisine that consistently exceeded guest expectations, provided strong leadership while delivering cost saving goals.
- Full responsibility for setting and delivering culinary standards that established the restaurant as a Chicago destination as demonstrated by a three-star rating by both The Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun Times.
- Planned promotional menu additions based on seasonal pricing and product availability.
- Generated employee schedules, work assignments, and determined appropriate compensation rates.
- Hired, trained, and managed all culinary staff including professional development, performance reviews, and terminations.
Sous Chef
The Peninsular Club
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Responsible for maintenance of line stations.
- Assisted Executive Chef in training and support of kitchen staff.
- Maintained complete knowledge of restaurant menu including daily specials.
- Assisted in team meetings, sales, stock loss, labor objectives, and margin goals.
- Coached, motivated, and disciplined employees according to established requirements.
Sous Chef
The Peninsular Club
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Responsible for maintenance of line stations.
- Assisted Executive Chef in training and support of kitchen staff.
- Maintained complete knowledge of restaurant menu including daily specials.
- Assisted in team meetings, sales, stock loss, labor objectives, and margin goals.
- Coached, motivated, and disciplined employees according to established requirements.
Education
AAS - Culinary Arts
Secchia Institute for Culinary Education
01.2003
Skills
- P@L management
- Financial Reporting
- Team Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Negotiations
- Communication
- Client relationships
- Business development
- Operations management
Personal Information
Title: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Timeline
Business Development
Chef Source
04.2023 - 04.2025
Business Development
Chef Source
04.2023 - 04.2025
Business Development Manager
Cherry Capital Foods
04.2019 - 03.2023
Business Development Manager
Cherry Capital Foods
04.2019 - 03.2023
Business Development Manager
Fresh Picks
01.2017 - 01.2019
Business Development Manager
Fresh Picks
01.2017 - 01.2019
Sales Associate
The Chefs Warehouse
01.2015 - 01.2017
Sales Associate
The Chefs Warehouse
01.2015 - 01.2017
Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2009 - 01.2015
Team Leader
Whole Foods Market
01.2009 - 01.2015
Executive Sous Chef
Levy Restaurants
01.2007 - 01.2009
Executive Sous Chef
Levy Restaurants
01.2007 - 01.2009
Executive Chef
X/O Chicago
01.2005 - 01.2007
Executive Chef
X/O Chicago
01.2005 - 01.2007
Sous Chef
The Peninsular Club
01.2003 - 01.2005
Sous Chef
The Peninsular Club
01.2003 - 01.2005
AAS - Culinary Arts
Secchia Institute for Culinary Education
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