Business Development Manager-Food Service

Justrite Safety Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Justrite Safety Group is seeking a results-driven Business Development Manager to lead growth in the Restaurant/Food Service, Hospitality, and Grocery/Retail markets from Chicago. You’ll expand our footprint by identifying opportunities, building strong customer relationships, and partnering with distributors to drive revenue.

You’ll report to the VP Sales and have clear paths for advancement as you shape our go-to-market strategy and deliver innovative safety solutions to customers nationwide.

Qualifications

• BS in Business related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in food service, hospitality and grocery/retail markets with decision-maker engagement.
• Experience negotiating and planning, and developing strategies for growth.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate expansion plans for restaurant/food service, hospitality, and grocery/retail markets.
• Build and manage a database of prospective customers from market knowledge, trade shows, inquiries, and responses.
• Analyze markets, understand competitors, and collaborate with Marketing and Sales to grow market share.
• Prepare and present training data on market and product solutions to end users.
• Develop training tools for teammates and local sellers; train as needed.
• Deliver monthly KPI reviews with VP Sales and maintain product knowledge across JSG portfolio.

Skills

Negotiating & Planning

Clear communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

CRM experience

Microsoft Office

Education

BS in Business field

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

At Justrite Safety Group, we’re more than just a collection of industrial safety companies; we’re a dynamic organization dedicated to protecting people, property, and the planet. Our ever-growing portfolio of companies collaborates to deliver advanced industrial safety solutions that set the standard for excellence.

As our business continues to grow, we continue to look for top talent to join our team as we lead the charge in revolutionizing industrial safety, ensuring that every worker returns home safe, every workplace remains secure, and our environment thrives for generations to come. With Justrite Safety Group, safety isn’t just a priority—it's our passion.

The Contribution You’ll bring to this Role:

We are looking for a Business Development Manager

for the Restaurant/Food Service, Hospitality, and Grocery/Retail markets. This role will focus on identifying new opportunities, building strong customer relationships (direct and through distribution), and driving growth across the food service industry along with hospitality and retail. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of food service industry trends, a proven ability to develop strategic partnerships, and the drive to expand our market presence. Working closely with cross-functional teams, this individual will play a pivotal role in shaping our go-to-market strategy and ensuring we deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.

In this role, you will report directly to the VP Sales, setting the stage for your career to soar! This role is your gateway to opportunities for advancement, with the potential to grow within the organization in 3-5 years as you make meaningful contributions to our organizational goals.

About the Team:

As a member of our Sales team, you’ll have the opportunity to work with leading distributors and top brands in the industry, driving sales efforts that make a real impact. Our sales team is dedicated to building and maintaining strong relationships, ensuring that we deliver the best possible outcomes for our partners and customers. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, as evidenced by our impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS), you’ll be part of a team that is recognized for its commitment to excellence and customer-centric approach. This role offers the chance to collaborate with some of the best professionals in the field, contributing to the growth and success of a company that’s at the forefront of safety solutions.

What You’ll Do at Justrite:

• Coordinate and develop action plans for expansion and deeper penetration in the restaurant/food service, hospitality and grocery/retail markets and actively search for new accounts within those markets.
• Compile database of prospective customers for use as sales leads based on information from your market knowledge, trade shows, website inquiries, direct mail responses and other sources.
• Market analysis to better understand and penetrate these markets and expand the customer base. Research and analyze current competition and their market share, and work with Marketing and Sales on opportunities to increase market share.
• Create and manage L2 KPI’s and be prepared to present and discuss in monthly L2 KPI reviews with VP Sales.
• Continuous education on product knowledge on the JSG portfolio, rules and regulations, and system capabilities.
• Develop training tools for JSG teammates and local sellers and present and train as needed.
• Prepare and present training data on market and JSG product solutions to targeted end users. All other duties as assigned.

Your Skills and Expertise:

To ensure your success from day one in this role, Justrite requires the following qualifications at a minimum:

• BS in Business related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in strong working knowledge of the food service, hospitality and grocery/ retail markets along with selling and engaging at a high level with decision makers in this segment
• Negotiating and Planning experience
• Problem Identification & Resolution
• Clear, concise Communication skills
• Experience working in a team environment with an entrepreneurial mindset
• Microsoft Office Suite and CRM experience

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Initiative and sense of urgency:Proactive follow up that drive deals forward efficiently by motivating prospects to take quick action.Moving deals through the pipeline through the stages without unnecessary delays.Prioritizes high-value activities that close revenue.
• Adaptability: Taking on new and additional tasks with comfort and ease and responding to unexpected requirements inherent in such circumstances. Handling and managing new assignments readily.
• Customer Focus: Readily responding to meet the needs of others, either inside or outside the organization. Satisfying customers.
• Dependability & Reliability: Completing work within organizational protocol and within expectations. Completing work within Standard Operating Procedures.
• Curiosity: constantly looking for ways to improve and creatively provide solutions to large customers on a wide scale multi-regionally or nationally
• Problem Solving: Correctly defining complex problems and developing viable work processes as solutions. Fixing work processes.
• Experience working with distributor networks and foodservice channels.