Business Development Manager-Midwest

Nombase Education; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Asterisk Imports—a U.S. importer focused on helping European breweries grow in the American market—seeks a Business Development Manager for the Midwest (Chicago based).

You will drive distribution growth through distributor management, chain development, and on- and off-premise sales. In this role you will build relationships with distributors and buyers, establish territory growth plans, and hit aggressive milestones to expand coverage across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and neighboring

Responsibilities

• Grow Midwest distribution through distributor management, chain development, and on- and off-premise sales.
• Build strong relationships with distributors and buyers across the Midwest.
• Develop territory growth plans and own the results for the Chicago/Milwaukee and broader Midwest region.

Job description

Business Development Manager – Midwest (Chicago Based)

About the Role

We're not looking for beer experts. We're looking for closers.

Some people sell products. Others create customers. We're looking for the latter.

We're an American importer set up to develop the market for globally recognized European beer brands. We're looking for competitive, relationship-driven sales professionals with an incredible work ethic who thrive on winning, opening new doors, and building long term partnerships. As a Business Development Manager, you'll help grow our distribution across the Midwest through distributor management, chain development, and on- and off-premise sales.

Your First Year Scoreboard

To give you a clear picture of what success looks like, here's exactly how we'll measure it.

Month 3 – Build the Foundation

• Build strong working relationships with our current distributors in Minnesota, Michigan, Northern Ohio, and Illinois.
• Establish a consistent ordering cadence and sales plan for every market.
• Secure placements in at least 8 high impact on-premise accounts, each with the potential to sell 50+ case equivalents annually.
• Expand placements throughout your home market of Chicago/Milwaukee and surrounding territory.
• Identify regional chain opportunities and begin the placement process by working directly with buyers and distributor chain managers.
• Visit every existing market in person and develop territory growth plans.

Month 6 – Expand the Footprint

• Secure statewide distribution in Wisconsin, Indiana, Southern Ohio, and Missouri.
• Increase the number of high impact on-premise placements to 20 accounts across the territory.
• Continue expanding regional chain authorizations and distributor relationships while building a strong pipeline of new opportunities.

Month 12 – Scale the Business

• Reach 40 high impact on-premise accounts across the Midwest territory.
• Grow Midwest sales 4x.
• Build a network of distributors, retailers, and chain partners that positions the territory for long term growth.
• Transition from executing the growth strategy to helping shape it as we continue to expand.

This Role Isn't for Everyone

We're building, not maintaining.

If you're driven to open new doors, create opportunities, and own your results, we'd love to meet you.

If you're looking for a territory to manage this isn't the job. Apply if you're looking for a territory to own.

About Asterisk Imports

Founded in 2026 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, Asterisk Imports is a U.S. importer focused on helping exceptional European breweries grow in the American market through strategic partnerships, experienced sales leadership, and dedicated brand development. The company was founded by James and Melia Curti, with support from the founders of Wurstküche's investment fund, whose combined backgrounds span imported beer, distributor management, national account sales, brand development, finance, and business operations.

Founded in 1811, Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck is a sixth-generation independent family brewery known for pairing centuries of brewing tradition with continuous innovation. Its portfolio includes Kasteel, Filou, St-Louis, Bacchus and a growing range of specialty and non-alcoholic beers. The brewery is also one of only a handful in Belgium with its own in-house canning line, giving it exceptional flexibility and quality control as its portfolio expands.

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