Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager at C.A. Carlin, you will lead sales activities focused on maximizing sales and profitability for our clients. Your role involves acting as a liaison between our clients and retailers, ensuring timely and effective communication. You'll also assist in achieving client KPIs, strategic planning, and promotional goals while navigating negotiations and developing unique solutions to overcome challenges.

To qualify for the Business Development Manager role at C.A. Carlin, applicants should possess at least 5 years of sales experience with grocery retailers in the Wisconsin market. Strong strategic thinking, presentation, negotiation skills, and the ability to build effective relationships are essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate knowledge of consumer goods industry insights and effective data utilization.

C.A. Carlin promotes a work culture that prioritizes growth, inclusivity, and collaboration. As a Business Development Manager, you'll be part of a supportive team committed to building better brands that inspire healthier lifestyles. With flexible work options and a focus on professional development, the environment encourages innovation and empowers you to contribute meaningfully.

Yes, the Business Development Manager at C.A. Carlin should expect to travel approximately 20% of the time. This includes attending client sales meetings, major industry shows, and client or retailer events—an exciting opportunity to engage directly with the market and further strengthen client relationships.

Business Development Managers at C.A. Carlin enjoy a competitive benefits package, including 16 days of PTO, a car allowance, 11 paid holidays, 2 paid volunteer days, fully paid parental leave, medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid life insurance, a 401k with company match, and flexible summer hours. We truly value work-life balance and wellness.

When answering this question, highlight specific experiences working with prominent retailers in Wisconsin, such as Certco and Woodman’s. Discuss successful strategies you've implemented in the past, focusing on your relationship-building skills and how you’ve helped clients achieve their sales goals through these partnerships.

In your response, emphasize your negotiation philosophy. Explain how you prepare for negotiations by understanding both the client and retailer’s needs and using data insights to find common ground. Provide an example of a successful negotiation that led to positive outcomes for both parties.

Discuss your strategic approach to boosting sales performance, such as implementing promotional campaigns or utilizing data analytics to identify market trends. Highlight examples where these strategies successfully increased sales or profit margins for your clients.

Explain your relationship-building techniques, such as regular communication, understanding individual client needs, and providing consistent follow-ups. Share anecdotes illustrating how you've successfully maintained long-term business relationships that resulted in mutual benefits.

In your response, draw on your knowledge of the grocery market to discuss effective marketing strategies such as in-store promotions, seasonal campaigns, and digital marketing. Be prepared to back your choice with specific examples where these strategies were successfully implemented.

Detail how you leverage data analytics to inform your sales strategies, from understanding consumer behavior to identifying sales patterns. Discuss tools or software you’ve used and how you’ve transformed data into actionable business insights.

When addressing this question, choose a challenge related to business development or sales. Describe the situation, your thought process, and the steps you took to resolve the issue, followed by the outcome and what you learned from the experience.

Explain your goal-setting process, highlighting how you collaborate with clients to define clear, measurable objectives that align with their vision. Describe methods you use to track progress and adjust strategies as needed to ensure success.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning by following industry publications, attending trade shows, and participating in professional networks. Explain how staying informed allows you to better advise your clients and adapt to market changes effectively.

Share your passion for the CPG industry and its dynamic nature. Discuss specific aspects that motivate you, such as the opportunity to innovate, the impact of consumer trends, or the potential for contributing to healthier lifestyles through brand partnerships.