Business Development Associate – Ethnic Sales USA

ALSAFA FOODS CANADA & USA

Chicago (IL)

Remote

USD 50,000 - 70,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Monthly vehicle maintenance allowance

Casual dress code

Job summary

A leading halal food brand is seeking a results-driven Business Development Associate to grow the U.S. Ethnic Retail channel, focusing on regions like Chicago. The role involves building partnerships with distributors, ensuring merchandising compliance, and expanding product distribution. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree, 2-3 years of field sales experience, and proficiency in tools such as Power BI and Business Central. The position offers a flexible remote role with travel requirements and a vehicle allowance.

Qualifications

2-3 years of field sales experience in CPG or food distribution.
Valid driver's license and personal vehicle access.
Ability to lift up to 15 kg as part of store activities.

Responsibilities

Manage dedicated territory with a focus on ethnic retail partners.
Conduct regular store visits to ensure product availability.
Prepare quarterly business reviews with data-driven insights.

Skills

Field sales experience

Account management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Power BI

Repsly

Business Central

Job description

Alsafa Foods is North America’s largest halal food brand, empowering Muslims through accessible, high-quality, guilt-free convenience foods. Recognized as one of Canada’s ‘10 Fastest Growing Companies of 2022’ by Insights Success Magazine, Alsafa thrives on innovation, agility, and strategic expansion. With 60+ SKUs distributed across leading retailers and ethnic store networks in both Canada and the U.S., our mission continues to resonate with diverse consumer communities across the continent.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a results-driven, relationship-focused Business Development Associate to manage and grow our U.S. Ethnic Retail channel in assigned clusters such as Chicago or Texas. This role centers on building strong partnerships with distributors, expanding product distribution, ensuring merchandising compliance, and identifying new business opportunities within ethnic communities. The ideal candidate will combine strategic account management, field sales execution, and data-driven decision-making to deliver measurable growth. The role involves regular market visits, frequent communication with distributor teams, and hands‑on activation of in‑store promotions. Extensive travel within the assigned cluster is required.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Territory & Distributor Management

Manage a dedicated territory with a focus on ethnic retail partners.
Conduct regular store visits based on assigned routes, prioritizing top‑tier outlets for product availability and merchandising.
Monitor freezer and shelf displays to ensure visibility, backup stock levels, and planogram compliance.
Analyse store‑level sales data using Power BI to prepare for visits.
Discuss upcoming promotions, product launches, or pricing with store contacts.
Submit orders through Business Central by the daily cut‑off time to ensure timely fulfilment.
Collect payments from stores with outstanding balances; enforce payment policies before re‑shipment.
Identify and engage potential new accounts during territory travel; lead new account inductions.
Track competitor activity and identify gaps for Alsafa product placement.
Log store visit history, route tracking, and activity reporting.

Operational Coordination

Handle expiry and short‑dated product approvals in coordination with line manager.
Suggest and execute special promotions to capture shelf space or address aging inventory.
Support monthly POP (Point‑of‑Purchase) material placement for seasonal campaigns.

Reporting & Reviews

Prepare quarterly business reviews with data‑driven insights: sales by category, region, and channel.
Participate in annual planning: reflect on achievements and propose targets with projected growth, supported by promotional and operational needs.

Ad Hoc Support

Respond to last‑minute store issues or market shifts with on‑the‑spot visits or interventions.
Stay flexible and responsive to dynamic market conditions, store closures, or emerging trends.

Key Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
2‑3 years of field sales, account management, or business development experience in CPG or food distribution.
Proficient in Power BI, Repsly, and Business Central.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills.
Valid driver’s license and access to personal vehicle to cover sales territory.
Ability to lift up to 15 kg as part of store activities.

Core Competencies

Customer Centric: Builds strong, lasting relationships with ethnic retail partners and distributors, ensuring product availability and merchandising excellence.
Self‑Driven & Accountable: Independent and organized in managing store routes, with a track record of meeting KPIs and enforcing compliance.
Analytical & Strategic Thinker: Interprets sales data (Power BI, Repsly) to guide store visits, promotions, and expansion opportunities.
Agile Adaptor: Responds quickly to changing business scenarios, store issues, and dynamic market conditions.
Innovative Relationship Builder: Brings fresh ideas for promotions, campaigns, and growth strategies while maintaining long‑term customer trust.

Role Dynamics

Remote role with flexible field days based on territory needs.
Regular store visits and occasional ad hoc stops as needed.
Daily routing adjusted based on geography, performance, and store urgency.
Monthly fuel and vehicle maintenance allowance provided; Mileage tracked via Repsly.
Peak periods include Ramadan, BBQ season, and Back to School campaigns.

What We Offer: