Client Development Manager - Hybrid: Chicago

Circana; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive plan (AIP)

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k)

Job summary

Circana is seeking a Client Development Manager in a Hybrid Chicago, IL role. You will serve as a trusted advisor to leading foodservice clients, translating insights into growth opportunities while leveraging Circana data assets and tools.

Excellent MS Office skills and 6+ years of experience are required to drive client success and revenue targets. Responsibilities include expanding relationships, delivering actionable insights, managing the sales cycle, and mentoring a junior report.

Qualifications

• A BA/BS or equivalent degree is required. Background in market research, economics, statistics, or marketing is preferred.
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience; foodservice industry experience is a plus.
• Proficiency with MS Office; familiarity with Circana tools like Unify+ is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Drive client growth by expanding relationships and aligning Circana data/software with client goals.
• Deliver insight-led solutions by translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Manage end-to-end sales processes including prospecting, needs assessment, solution development, negotiation, and closing.
• Collaborate with Product/Analytics to deliver integrated solutions and ensure client success.
• Stay current on retail/CPG trends to position Circana as a trusted advisor.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across client organizations.
• Utilize Circana platforms (Unify+, Liquid Data, Intelligence Suite) to support engagements.
• Meet or exceed revenue targets through disciplined pipeline management.
• Champion client success and provide market feedback for product development.
• Mentor and develop a junior direct report.

Skills

Trusted advisor

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Client engagement

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Market analysis

Education

BA/BS or equivalent

Tools

Unify+

Liquid Data

Intelligence Suite

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, CoPilot)

Job description

Client Development Manager

Let’s be unstoppable together!

Circana is a leading provider of technology, AI, and data solutions for consumer packaged goods companies, manufacturers, retailers, and foodservice operators. 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.

Learn more at www.circana.com.

Our Critical Sales Skills

• 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?

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leading foodservice manufacturer and operator clients by building strategic relationships, understanding business objectives and challenges, and translating insights into growth opportunities.
• Leverage Circana’s broad portfolio of foodservice data assets and proprietary tools to analyze complex consumer and industry data, delivering clear, actionable recommendations that inform business decisions.
• Drive client success and satisfaction by proactively connecting market trends and performance data to strategic opportunities while expanding engagement across a broader range of stakeholders and end users.
• Support team development by thoughtfully managing and developing a junior direct report.

Job Responsibilities

• Drive Client Growth: Identify and pursue opportunities to expand client relationships by aligning Circana’s data and software solutions with their strategic goals.
• Deliver Insight-Led Solutions: Translate complex data into actionable insights that help clients make informed decisions and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Manage the Sales Cycle: Lead end-to-end sales processes including prospecting, needs assessment, solution development, negotiation, and closing.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with internal teams (e.g., Product, Analytics) to deliver integrated solutions and ensure client success.
• Maintain Industry Expertise: Stay current on trends in [retail, CPG, or general merchandise] to position Circana as a thought leader and trusted advisor.
• Build Strategic Relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across client organizations, including decision-makers and influencers.
• Utilize Sales Tools and Platforms: Leverage Circana’s proprietary platforms (e.g., Unify+, Liquid Data, Intelligence Suite) to support client engagements and solution delivery.
• Achieve Revenue Targets: Meet or exceed individual and team sales goals through disciplined pipeline management and strategic account planning.
• Champion Client Success: Ensure client satisfaction by proactively addressing challenges, identifying growth opportunities, and delivering consistent value.
• Support Innovation and Feedback: Provide market feedback to internal teams to help refine offerings and contribute to product development.
• Advanced Analytic Skills: Demonstrated ability to conceive, manage, and deliver fact-based analyses, with a focus on consumer solutions, providing clients with clear, actionable insights to inform strategy.

Requirements

• BA/BS or equivalent degree required. Market research, economics, statistics, or marketing background preferred.
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience required. Foodservice industry experience preferred.
• Highly proficient in all MS Office products (strong Excel, PowerPoint, CoPilot). Prior experience with Circana’s proprietary tools like Unify+ is a plus.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Circana Behaviors

• 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.

Location

This position can be located in the following area(s): Hybrid role based in Chicago, IL

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 $85,000 to $105,000.

This job is also eligible for annual incentive plan (AIP) 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 role is subject to AI-assisted screening. Circana uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess resumes for alignment with job requirements by helping locate details in resumes that relate to the job description.

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