Business Development Manager - Central Region

Worker Type:

Job Description:

Do you want to be an “Intelli?”   We do business differently to forge new paths in specialty coffee.  We are pioneers in the direct trade model for buying coffee and creating coffee partnerships all over the world.  We’re passionate about coffee, and that means we pay a bit more for coffee in order to buy direct and create long-term, collaborative relationships with our producers that grow exceptional coffee.
 

The Business Development Manager (BDM) - Central Region, qualifies, and develops prospective wholesale customers across a variety of business channels to onboard and support new wholesale customers while growing the designated territory. The position requires strong sales and business experience and a broad understanding of the food and beverage industry.

Position is based in the Chicago, IL area.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the overall growth and development of the assigned territory and accounts within assigned territory

• Provide consultation for new wholesale customers including recommendations for appropriate beverage equipment and menu with confidence and expertise.

• Collaborate and leverage the full Intelligentsia team across the roasting works, wholesale training lab, tech services and sales offices.

• Manage the entire onboarding process of new wholesale customers and provide ongoing account support.

• Qualify all incoming sales leads for wholesale coffee, tea, and related merchandise.

• Effectively utilize the available team support across Finance, Marketing, Operations, Technical Service, and Training to service customers.

• Regularly conduct sales prospecting and lead management activities within assigned territory to identify and qualify new business opportunities within cafes, bakeries, independent grocery, independent restaurants (1-9 locations) and country clubs. 

• Utilize Intelligentsia's sales process, sales methodology, and CRM tools to conduct daily business activities.

• Provide regular inputs for sales pipeline reports, sales forecasting, and work with management to execute sales strategy for the territory.

• Responsible for achieving individual growth plan and assigned targets.

• Increase sales in existing business by presenting additional product lines and new opportunities for increased consumption.

• Coordinate sales and training information with team to ensure individual and regional growth.

• Identify new growth opportunities within assigned territory and maintain profitability.

• Comfortable making sales calls, presenting to multi-unit accounts and working directly with key decision makers.

Job Requirements:
 

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred

• Minimum of 1-2 years of B2B sales experience as an individual contributor required.

• Experience in the specialty coffee industry and/or food service or hospitality industry is highly preferred.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of the geography of the designated territory and business channels preferred.

• Strong negotiation skills.

• Experience with MS Excel/Word.

• Ability to manage time and schedule effectively.

• Familiar with sales prospecting methods and tools, including cold calling, presentations, drafting proposals, networking, etc.

• A flexible schedule to include periodic travel, weekends, participation in events, and after-hours work.

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, and a strong desire to nurture new wholesale customers.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate Intelligentsia's mission and core values.

• Basic technical aptitude and a desire to learn about a variety of coffee equipment.

• Formal sales training from a professional sales training organization such as: Customer Centric Selling, Strategic Selling, Solution Selling, SPIN selling, Challenger Sale, Richardson, Sandler, or formal sales training provided by a prior employer.

• Experience with marketing lead generation programs, business promotions, and marketing initiatives used with typical sales efforts.

• Experience recording customer and sales pipeline information into a CRM system. Knowledge of CRM as an individual contributor is preferred.

• Familiarity with social media tools (such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and online direct marketing a plus.

• Access to personal vehicle with valid driver's license and clean driving record. (Mileage reimbursement provided)

• Up to 75% local travel within their assigned territory to conduct sales meetings, presentations, reviews, and other interactions with prospective and current wholesale coffee customers.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance

• Company-paid long & short-term disability and life insurance

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Monthly cell phone allowance

• 401(k) eligible after 90 days of employment and a company match after one year

• 8 Paid holidays per year

• Commuter benefits

• Free bag of coffee each week with a discount on other items

• Employee Assistance Program

Salary:

• $65,000 annual base pay

• $2,075 per monthly commission (Achieve 100% of sales target)

• Opportunity to earn commission on achieving over 100% sales target

Intelligentsia Coffee, Inc is an equal opportunity employer of all qualified individuals.

We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving guests throughout our communities. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal state and local ordinances.

Intelligentsia is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us via email at pc@intelligentsiacoffee.com