Market Development Manager - Remote (Chicago)

good2grow™; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's beverage company is seeking a Market Development Manager to drive sales and manage distributor relationships in the Chicago area. The role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and a passion for service. Ideal candidates will have a background in sales, preferably in the beverage industry, and a commitment to fostering teamwork and collaboration. This position offers competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth within a fun and dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with company match

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Account

Short and Long Term Disability

Generous Paid Time Off

12 Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• 5+ years of sales experience in consumer packaged goods preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs and travel 80% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Leads distributors to drive annual business performance objectives.
• Develops larger chains and increases product presence in stores.
• Manages employee activity and promotes a positive work environment.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Decision-making

Problem-solving

Communication

Time management

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

Market Development Manager - Remote (Chicago)

Under the direction of the Regional Sales Manager, the incumbent is responsible for collaborating with a group of independent direct store delivery distributors to advance good2grow sales within the assigned territory. This individual uses their existing experience in the food/beverage/DSD sales sectors to own and drive business performance within the Regional Sales team. This role will also be responsible for developing local chain within the independent and small format channels.

Candidates must reside in or around Chicago to be considered for this role.

Key Skills Required

• Strong analytical mindset, decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to influence – communicate clearly and concisely to gain alignment and drive action across varying audiences
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Time management and project management skills a must!
• Attention to details and dedication to getting things right
• Maintain high level of organization, time management and project management skills, commitment to follow through, enthusiasm, and motivation

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Leads distributors in the assigned region to own and drive annual business performance objectives through the use of Systematic Distributor Management.

• Participates in distributor training, sales meeting presentations, ride a longs, etc.
• Provides clear and concise follow up notes after ride a longs and store visits
• Uses VIP Karma app to track, audit, follow up, and execute store visits
• Attends & presents retail execution updates a key business review monthly & quarterly meetings.
• Communicates with key influencers within the distributor organization on major opportunities at the retail level to include but not limited to: Promotional execution, distribution opportunities, GAP reporting, and the overall execution of good2grow gold standard store level objectives

Develops larger chains, local chains, and the independent market.

• Penetrates new accounts using targeted void reports as provided by manager or Distributor
• Increases good2grow store presence through kids’ eye level shelving and multiple points of interruption throughout the store through presentations to in store management
• Grows the number of good2grow SKUs available in the market through closing voids on authorized SKUs or presentations to in store management on new items
• Leads the entire Crew Drive process in the marketplace for Regional Sales Managers
• Calls on smaller regional chain groups

Completes all administrative duties required on office days in a timely manner.

• Communicates recaps, follows up with distributors, and sends weekly communication.
• Creates weekly recaps and sends to immediate manager.
• Leads and often presents on monthly MDM calls.
• Manages summer interns or 3rd party resources when applicable.
• Submits expenses and completes other basic administrative functions related to the position, such as Distributor POS inventory/needs, making updates to scorecard initiatives, weekly planner updates, etc.

Directs and manages employee activity, promoting an environment in which employees can thrive.

• Coaches, mentors and develops staff, including monitoring individual employee performance through use and completion of performance reviews and individual development plans.
• Fosters a spirit of teamwork and unity among department members that allows for the appreciation of diversity, as well as cohesiveness and supportiveness through use of regularly scheduled departmental meetings and leadership by example.
• Identified as a lead trainer for new Market Development Manager hires.
• Serves in a mentor capacity for new Market Development Managers and Area Merchandisers.

Education/Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of sales (Consumer packaged goods industry preferred), merchandising, direct store delivery, or supplier sales experience
• High level of organization and enthusiasm, required
• Efficient in Microsoft Office
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs
• Ability to travel 80% of the time, regionally by car

Preferred:

• Experience in beverage industry

Characteristics Needed to be Successful

• We are looking for someone with a passion for service. You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room, but you do have to love coming to work every day and you must have an authentic pride in your work.
• You must be a resourceful self-starter. If you wait to be told to do something before you do it, this isn’t the place for you.
• We need someone who is adaptable. The pace of change in our business is rapid. We create plans, but we’re always ready to shift as needed to accomplish our goals.
• You must be able to establish and retain trust across the organization. It’s a small company – there will be several critical relationships that can mean the difference between success and failure.

About us

good2grow is a children’s beverage company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Our mission is to use fun to help kids consume healthier products. And our commitment to this mission has made us a high-growth innovative beverage company, with a large, diverse, and ever-growing set of retail partners. We create better-for-you drinks that give both parents and kids a smile by combining great taste with tons of fun. We partner with some of the biggest names in entertainment including Disney, Universal Studios, Nickelodeon, Hasbro and so many more to top our products with 100s of all of their favorite characters. Our line of products includes snacks, juices, flavored waters, and milks, so there’s something to make everybody smile.

good2grow offers a competitive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with company match, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Short and Long Term Disability (along with salary continuation), a robust Parental Leave Policy, Life Insurance, 12 Paid Holidays, plus a generous Paid Time Off package. Through our community involvement and employee engagement initiatives, you will see that we value our employees’ experience and the community around us. At good2grow, you will be consistently challenged, and your opportunities will only be limited by your ambition!

Our Culture

Not only are our products fun, so is our organization! We are visionaries with a growth mindset, built on trust, integrity, and collaboration. Our culture is unmatched, described by our employees as transparent, flexible, inclusive, and team oriented. Other words we’ve heard used to describe us are empowering, nurturing, relaxed, and high performing. Our goal is for every employee to feel empowered, valued, and part of the good2grow family. Our organization is dedicated to leveraging technology to make our work more efficient and to keep our remote workforce connected. We place value on not only maintaining work-life balance, but also enhancing it by encouraging a culture that understands the importance of each individual’s unique circumstances. We are an industrious organization with a penchant for fun!