Business Development Manager

ForestSource; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + commissions

Monthly car allowance

Travel allowance

Expense reimbursement

Group insurance program

401(K) with employer matching

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Company cell phone

Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays

Job summary

Richelieu is seeking a Business Development Manager for the Midwest Region to serve as the primary commercial link between Head Office and the Midwest sales organization. This field-execution role requires translating national strategies into regional growth through sales support and customer engagement.

Location: Midwest United States with frequent regional travel. The role emphasizes adoption of product classes, training, and collaboration with sales reps to drive margin and growth across a

Qualifications

• Experience in business development with home improvement retailers.
• Ability to be a hunter and a farmer to grow accounts.
• Self-starter with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• College degree preferred but not required; experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales development and field execution across assigned regions.
• Partner with reps on call planning, territory strategy, and customer development.
• Attend joint customer visits and specification meetings.
• Support strategic accounts with pricing, quotes, and inventory alignment.
• Conduct showroom visits and customer site engagement.
• Attend regional QBRs and provide feedback on execution, market opportunities.
• Deliver product training and rollout support.
• Coordinate with Product Champions for consistent messaging.
• Promote CRM usage and pipeline visibility.
• Provide monthly updates on activity and initiatives.

Skills

Business development

Retail clients

Communication skills

Travel ability

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Company Overview

Richelieu is a leading North American distributor, importer, and manufacturer of specialty hardware and complementary products. Our products are targeted to an extensive customer base of kitchen and bathroom cabinet, storage and closet, home furnishing and office furniture manufacturers, door and window, residential and commercial woodworkers, and hardware retailers including renovation superstores. Richelieu offers customers a broad mix of high-end products sourced from manufacturers worldwide. With over 150,000 product offerings, 112 locations in North America, and a state-of-the-art field force that passionately serves over 110,000 customers, Richelieu continues to stand in the forefront of a dynamic and ever-changing industry.

Since 1968, Richelieu has understood the significance and impact of a strong set of Core Values. Richelieu stands behind these Five Core Values that serve as the guiding principles of everything we do:

• Customer Focus
• Innovation
• Performance
• Respect/Integrity/Ethics
• Ownership

Our Mission:

to enable our customers to profitably grow their businesses through the design and creation of exceptional kitchens, closets, and storage spaces.

Our Opportunity

Business Development Manager – Midwest Region

Reports To: Director of U.S. Sales

Location: Midwest United States

Territory: OH, MI, IL, IN, WI, MN, ND, SD, MO, KS

Travel: Frequent regional travel required (typically 50–70%)

Role Overview

The Business Development Manager – Midwest Region serves as the primary commercial link between Head Office and the Midwest sales organization. The role is responsible for regional execution, adoption, and growth across assigned product classes.

This is a field-execution role focused on translating national product and segment strategies into consistent regional results through sales support, training, and customer engagement across a broad and diverse market.

Product & Segment Scope

Lead the execution strategy across high-priority product categories aligned with Richelieu’s core hardware and accessory portfolio. These categories represent key drivers of growth, margin, and customer engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales Development & Field Execution
  • Drive adoption and specification across assigned super classes
  • Partner with sales reps on call planning, territory strategy, and customer development
  • Participate in joint customer visits and specification meetings
  • Support strategic accounts with pricing, quoting, and inventory alignment
  • Conduct showroom visits and customer site engagement
  • Attend regional QBRs and provide feedback on execution, competitive dynamics, and market opportunities
• Product Training & Enablement
  • Deliver product and category training across the region
  • Lead new product introductions and rollout support
  • Support customer-facing demonstrations and technical discussions
  • Coordinate with Product Champions to ensure consistent messaging and execution
• Tools, Vendors & Reporting
  • Support adoption of sales tools, merchandising standards, and catalogs
  • Serve as a regional interface with key suppliers and product managers
  • Promote consistent CRM usage and pipeline visibility
  • Provide concise monthly updates on activity, pipeline, and key initiatives

Success Measures

Increased adoption and sales growth across assigned super classes

Strong alignment between national strategy and Midwest field execution

Improved effectiveness of sales reps and specification managers

Consistent execution across a broad, high-opportunity, and competitive region

What We Are Looking For

Successful business development experience with retailers in the home improvement segment (building materials, construction, etc.)

Ability to be both a "hunter" of new relationships and a "farmer" to develop existing retail customers

Self-starter, able to work independently

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to travel as required

College degree is preferred but not required; a combination of education and experience will be considered

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive market-based salary plus monthly, quarterly, and annual commissions
• Monthly car allowance and covered fuel
• Travel allowance
• Business expense reimbursement
• Group insurance program (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, etc.)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer matching
• 401(K) with employer matching
• Company cell phone
• Paid vacation time, sick days, and 9 paid holidays per year

We are an equal opportunity employer.