Business Development Intern

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Overview

Seeking new MBA graduates w/ a Passion for Japanese Cuisine!

Part Time/Temporary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is seeking business development interns to help pioneer our Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) frozen food sales channels. As the first step, we plan to conduct pilot sales in the Los Angeles area in Summer 2025. In addition to this initiative, we are currently operating four to five other D2C-focused frozen food projects in parallel. This project is led by Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA), a subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group based in Japan. Headquartered in Ontario, California, AFNA operates multiple production facilities across the United States and employs approximately 3,000 people.

Our brand portfolio includes Ling Ling® dumplings and fried rice, José Olé® Mexican snacks, and Tai Pei® Asian meals, among others. These are distributed through a wide range of channels including retail, foodservice, and club stores. However, expanding into D2C online channels remains a challenge. Through this project, we aim to explore new distribution models and expand our reach directly to consumers.

AFNA’s foundation in the U.S. market dates back to its 2014 acquisition of Windsor Quality Holdings, which brought a robust manufacturing and logistics infrastructure into the Ajinomoto Group. With annual revenues of approximately $1.1 billion, AFNA is one of the leading frozen food manufacturers in North America and continues to invest in product R&D, culinary development, and sustainable operations.

Responsibilities

• Outreach to Potential Partners with D2C Channels: Engage with trusted potential partners in the U.S. D2C landscape and propose strategic collaborations with AFNA.

• Trade Shows & Industry Events: Support planning and execution of exhibitions, represent the brand, and build networks with prospective partners.

• Internal and External Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for both prospective and current partners, handling communications and proposals. Coordinate closely with internal teams, especially R&D and logistics.

• Lead Generation & Follow-Up: Build and maintain long-term relationships with strategic partner candidates to promote sustainable partnerships.

• Market Feedback Collection: Conduct user interviews and gather direct insights to improve product lines and D2C strategies.

Qualifications

• MBA degree preferred
• Experience in B2B sales or developing strategic partnerships with corporate entities. Experience in food distribution or the restaurant industry is a plus.
• Excellent networking and communication skills, with a proven ability to build trust with potential partners.
• Self-driven and capable of working independently.
• Passion for Japanese cuisine and food industry trends.
• Must reside in the Los Angeles area and be available for in-person meetings and events.
• Japanese language skills are a strong plus.
• $2,000-$4,000 per month depending on experience and hours
• #INDONT