VP Food Service Sales, Business Development and CEO Candidate

SEEKING A ROLE AS: Business Development, Sales, or Chief Commercial Officer, CEO of small or mid-sized specialty food or beverage company, with food service customers in the Northeast USA.

IN LOCATION: Currently living in New York — open to travel.

SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS:
– A foodservice business-to-business CEO with more than 30 years of experience helping specialty coffee and premium food products build a market and grow sales in the tri-state area.
– As an Italian-American, developed the market for high-end Italian specialty coffees and espresso machines in New York City, creating a multimillion dollar sales and marketing network.
– Managed $15 million business with 35 employees serving the New York metro area and greater East Coast.
– A master negotiator who secured an exclusive collaboration with Gruppo Cimbali to bring its market-leading espresso machine technologies to the U.S. foodservice industry. Following a comprehensive business analysis, he also negotiated an exclusive importation and distribution agreement with Lavazza coffee, becoming the leading importer of pre-roasted specialty coffees and equipment in the United States.
– He also served as Executive Vice President and Sales Manager in the United States of Longino & Cardinal, a finder and purveyor of rare and unique foods favored by Michelin chefs worldwide, through a subsidiary he opened in New York. A market developer who introduced Longino’s portfolio of culinary ingredients, many of which were previously unavailable, to North America.
– A problem-solver who doesn’t give up, weathered his companies through COVID, using the time to build new endeavors, including an on-premise coffee roastery and packaging operation, and securing new partnerships with illy Caffe and Caffe Trucillo. Following a robust post-pandemic period of growth, he successfully negotiated the sale of Ammirati Importing to Compass Group in July 2025.

EDUCATION: A New Yorker born and raised, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Fordham University, and a sales and marketing degree earned on the streets of Manhattan.

COMPENSATION: Base salary expectation dependent on responsibilities but likely in the $200,000 range plus incentives.

If you are interested in speaking with this skilled food service industry leader who:
– Understands how to establish and position a company to increase demand for products and services within its category.
– Through relationships, partnerships, and a focus on client retention, builds networks that connect gourmet products with discerning customers who rely on his expertise, support, and candor to grow, then …

Contact Laurie Hyllberg
Contact:
Laurie Hyllberg
laurieh@kinsa.com
Worksite Preference:Hybrid Onsite/Remote Combination, Onsite
Employment Preference:Permanent, Board