Strategic Planning Director

Compass Group USA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plan

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Commuter Benefits

Job summary

Compass Group USA’s Canteen unit seeks a Strategic Planning Director to lead partnerships across the coffee, foodservice, and distribution ecosystem. The role builds long-term strategies with manufacturers, distributors, and trade partners to drive revenue growth.

You will collaborate with Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Executive Leadership to align objectives and travel as needed to nourish key relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 5+ years in business development or strategic partnerships.
• Proven success developing partnerships that drive revenue growth.
• Experience managing manufacturer/supplier relationships.
• Strong PM, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence across leadership levels.
• Experience in coffee, foodservice, distribution, hospitality, or related industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with key coffee manufacturers, strategic partners, and industry leaders.
• Identify and manage partnership opportunities that generate leads and revenue growth.
• Lead projects from opportunity identification through implementation with measurable results.
• Serve as CBC's primary contact for Foodbuy and Tradecraft partnerships.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Executive Leadership to align partnership strategies.
• Represent CBC at industry events and partner engagements to increase brand awareness.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Sales/Hospitality/Supply Chain

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CRM tools

Job description

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• Pay Range: 130,000.00- 170,000.00
  *Internal Employee Referral Bonus Available

The advertised program is a conversational recruiting assistant that helps you apply to jobs with Compass Group. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions:http://olivia.paradox.ai/moSkg

About Canteen:

Canteen brings break time to everyone. We combine food, service, and experience backed by industry-leading technology to help companies create a better workplace and connect their employees. Canteen’s solutions include markets, office coffee and snacks, unattended retail, and culinary.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication, collaboration, and passion fuel our growth. Interested in joining our team? You bring the enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. Together, we’ll continue to transform our industry.

Come for the job, stay for the career. We are Canteen.

Job Summary

Position Summary
The Strategic Planning Director develops and executes strategic partnerships that drive business growth and strengthen CBC's position within the specialty coffee industry. This role serves as the primary liaison with key manufacturing partners, industry organizations, and strategic affiliates, identifying growth opportunities, cultivating high-value relationships, and expanding CBC's customer pipeline. Working cross-functionally with leadership and external partners, this position builds long-term partnership strategies and ensures CBC remains a preferred partner throughout the coffee supply chain.

• Develop and maintain relationships with key coffee manufacturers, strategic partners, and industry leaders.
• Identify and manage partnership opportunities that generate qualified leads and support long-term revenue growth.
• Lead collaborative projects from opportunity identification through implementation, ensuring measurable business results.
• Serve as CBC's primary contact for Foodbuy and Tradecraft, strengthening partnerships and identifying growth opportunities.
• Partner with Tradecraft leadership to position CBC as the preferred distribution and service partner.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of strategic partnership opportunities, tracking milestones and outcomes.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Executive Leadership to align partnership strategies with business objectives.
• Represent CBC at industry events, customer meetings, and partner engagements to increase brand awareness and cultivate new business relationships.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and emerging opportunities, providing recommendations that support growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, Hospitality, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, channel management, national accounts, or related roles.
• Proven success developing partnerships that drive revenue growth and business expansion.
• Experience managing manufacturer, supplier, distributor, or strategic partner relationships.
• Strong project management, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions and leadership levels.
• Experience in specialty coffee, beverage, foodservice, distribution, hospitality, manufacturing, or CPG industries preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and CRM tools.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Ideal Candidate
A relationship-driven business development leader with a proven ability to build strategic partnerships, influence executive stakeholders, identify growth opportunities, and deliver measurable business results within coffee, foodservice, beverage, distribution, or related industries.

Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.

Full-time and part-time positions offer the followingbenefits to associates: Retirement Plan, Associate Shopping Program, Health and Wellness Programs, Discount Marketplace, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, including Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Services, and Choice Auto and Home Program

Full-time positions also offer the following benefits to associates: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance/AD, Disability Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Program,Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, clickhere or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.

Canteen

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