Business Development Account Executive – General Merchandise, Client Sales & Insights

BuddiesHR; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commission pay

Job summary

Circana is seeking a Business Development Account Executive to grow syndicated sales, analytics, and insights across general merchandise. You will own the full new‑business cycle, prospecting and closing net‑new accounts, and engaging with VP or C‑suite executives.

You will collaborate with Client Development, Product, Analytics, and Research Science to meet revenue goals while leveraging Circana’s data tools and market insights in a fast‑moving sales environment.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in outbound prospecting, new business development, or B2B sales.
• BA/BS required.
• Strong presentation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel 10–15%.

Responsibilities

• Grow new business across the general merchandise sector by prospecting and closing net-new accounts.
• Lead with a consultative, data‑driven selling style to win executive‑level engagements.
• Own full new‑business cycle: prospecting, engaging, and closing.
• Sell syndicated sales data, consumer and industry insights across digital and physical channels.
• Collaborate with senior sales, product, analytics, and research teams to achieve revenue goals.
• Develop and maintain a healthy sales pipeline and keep stakeholders informed.

Skills

Prospecting

Relationship building

Pipeline management

Data-driven selling

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

Business Development Account Executive – General Merchandise, Client Sales & Insights

Circana is a leading provider of technology, AI, and data solutions for consumer packaged goods companies, manufacturers, and retailers. Our predictive analytics and Liquid Data® platform help clients measure market share, uncover consumer behavior, and drive growth—powered by six decades of expertise and an expansive, high-quality data set.

At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives. We’re a global company dedicated to fostering inclusivity and belonging. We value and celebrate the unique experiences, cultures, and viewpoints that each individual brings. By embracing a wide range of backgrounds, skills, expertise, and beyond, we create a stronger, more innovative environment for our employees, clients, and communities. With us, you can always bring your full self to work. Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Circana is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work®. This prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Circana.

At the heart of our commercial success is a team of professionals who combine strategic insight, customer‑centricity, and executional excellence. These skills represent the core capabilities required to drive value for our clients and sustainable growth for our business.

• Effectively Presents Solutions : Delivers tailored, compelling solutions that align with customer needs and drive action.
• Knows the Buying Influences : Identifies key decision‑makers and understands their motivations and influence.
• Manages Buyer Indifference : Recognizes and explores customer hesitation to uncover new needs or opportunities.
• Understands Customer Needs : Operates as a recognized expert to articulate customer needs in the customer’s business language and business context.
• Being Resilient : Bounces back from setbacks with composure and positivity; helps others stay productive during tough times.
• Manages Ambiguity : Stays focused and calm in uncertain situations; guides others through change.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking a proven sales hunter to grow our syndicated sales, analytics, media and receipt‑tracking business across the general merchandise sector. This role is built for a true new‑business hunter — someone who thrives on building their own pipeline from scratch, leads with a consultative, insights‑driven selling style, and is just as comfortable engaging a VP or C‑suite executive as they are opening a cold call. Prospects will include brands in the non‑CPG sector that are not current Circana clients. You will own the full new‑business cycle — prospecting, engaging, and closing net‑new accounts at the executive level — selling syndicated sales data, consumer and industry insights across digital and physical purchasing channels, and ad‑hoc analysis from across Circana’s product suite. You’ll work closely with senior sales leaders, Client Development, Product Management, Analytics, and Research Science to achieve revenue goals

Job Responsibilities

• Support and help drive an assigned new‑business portfolio to achieve sales and revenue growth goals.
• Prospect new accounts through outbound calling, targeted campaigns, industry events, and trade shows.
• Build a working knowledge of Circana’s data and analytics products to identify client needs and recommend relevant solutions.
• Use a consultative selling approach, leading and selling with data as a core skill.
• Help prepare and deliver customized sales presentations, proposals, and briefings.
• Develop a healthy sales pipeline and support conversion of pipeline into recognized revenue.
• Collaborate with marketing partners on lead‑generation and awareness campaigns.
• Take ownership of assigned pieces of the sales process, from lead generation through contract execution.
• Identify common themes from prospects to help inform new product development.
• Operate with accountability, collaboration, and a strong work ethic throughout the sales process.

Requirements

• 2–5 years of experience in outbound prospecting, new business development, or B2B sales.
• Experience in automotive aftermarket, parts/accessories retail, or dealer‑channel sales is a plus, but not required.
• Comfort using data to sell, or strong enthusiasm and willingness to learn a data‑driven sales approach.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, build relationships, and manage a pipeline of new opportunities.
• Strong presentation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and product categories at once.
• A “can‑do” attitude, strong work ethic, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10 - 15%.
• BA/BS required.

As well as the technical skills, experience and attributes that are required for the role, our shared behaviors sit at the core of our organization. Therefore, we always look for people who can continuously champion these behaviors throughout the business within their day‑to‑day role:

• Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions.
• Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action.
• Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices.
• Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers.
• Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement.
• Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect, and integrity.
• Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone.

What Success Looks Like

The ideal candidate can deliver a clear, engaging presentation that ties Circana’s data back to a client’s business needs and is comfortable talking with a range of contacts within a prospect’s organization. They manage their time and pipeline with discipline, embrace Circana’s sales processes and systems, and are sticklers for accuracy — ready to back up their work with facts.

Location

This position can be located in the following area(s): Chicago, Remote

Prospective candidates may be asked to consent to background checks (in accordance with local legislation and our candidate privacy notice ) Your current employer will not be contacted without your permission.

The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue‑based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs. The salary range for this role is $75K to $80K for on‑target earnings

This job is also eligible for commission pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

An offer of employment may be conditional upon successful completion of a background check in accordance with local legislation and our candidate privacy notice. Your current employer will not be contacted without your permission.

This position is expected to remain open for approximately 30 days and may close earlier if sufficient qualified candidates are identified.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.