Business Development Manager - C.A. Fortune
Chicago, IL
About the Job
What We Do
At C.A. Fortune, we aspire to maintain our position as the nation's leading consumer brands agency. We realize how fortunate we are (pun intended) to offer comprehensive solutions to our clients. From sales management to marketing, all the way down to insights and e-commerce, our boutique service model offers a breadth of services to our clients.
Who We Are
People. Passion. Purpose. Our people are the core of our business. Our unique boutique service model allows our people to follow their passions with a purpose, all while delivering excellent services to our clients. We are committed to living out our values. We are fearless and curious innovators who lead with solutions, empower others, and do the right thing, always. We are a family-first organization and recognize the importance of a healthy and flexible work-life balance, a positive support system, and the power of diversity and inclusion.
Overview of the Role
As a Business Development Manager with C.A. Fortune, you will be responsible for leading all new client partnership opportunity discussions and meeting new business revenue targets for the organization. The goal is to drive sustainable financial growth through boosting revenue across the firm and forging strong relationships with new and existing clients.
- The ideal candidate for this position is someone who is passionate about the CPG industry and skilled at managing multiple lead and opportunity discussions from initial pipeline entry to deal closure. This individual will bring high energy to their daily activities, demonstrating the ability to multitask and collaborate effectively across all areas of the company. They thrive when partnering with manufacturers to identify their business needs and offering C.A. services that deliver impactful solutions. The candidate should be results-driven, possess strong negotiation abilities, and be capable of meeting client needs while achieving both personal and company goals.
- Location: Fully Remote
- At C.A. we're not looking for perfection, just people that want to commit to a us and grow their careers long-term. We are on a mission to build better brands that inspire healthier lifestyles for consumers and their families. If you're looking for a sign to apply, here it is!
What You'll Do at C.A. Fortune
- Lead all new client partnership conversations assigned to the individual: From entering the lead cycle to qualifying opportunities to delivering partnership presentations and closing on new deals
- Proactively qualifying new leads through established vetting process
- Develop strategic partnership proposals that are customized to the unique needs of the client
- Conduct research on partnership opportunities to understand size of opportunity and align to appropriate scope of services
- Lead in-person and/or virtual capabilities presentations
- Analyze trends across categories to identify high value new client prospects. As well as use creative measures to contact key decision makers at prospects in an effort to sell C.A. services
- Become familiar with current client portfolio and develop detailed understanding of agency strengths across all pillars of the organization, to ensure new client fits strategy of the business
- Promote the company's services while addressing and/or predicting the client's business needs
- Lead the contract creation process as well as managing all aspects of contract negotiation within adherence of guidelines established by Leadership Team and Executive Leadership Team
- Maintain thorough and accurate records within CRM platform for all leads whether they are qualified or unqualified
- Communicate all aspects of a new client partnership to a variety of stakeholders (Corporate Marketing, Finance, Engagement Team, Sales Leadership) to ensure a positive client experience from contract close to onboarding
- Up to 50% but will vary based off business needs, travel possibilities would include major industry shows, client meetings, team trainings, and leadership trainings
What You Should Bring to the Table
- A demonstrated competency in multi-tasking and problem-solving with focus on meeting deadlines and driving results
- Strong analytical and strategic thinker; can turn self-developed strategies and efficient processes into execution
- Strong presentation skills and a commanding executive presence, capable of effectively communicating ideas and engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
- Capability to identify challenges and propose effective solutions to overcome them.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve high individual and company performance goals
- Flexibility to navigate changes in market conditions and client needs
- Highly self-driven, with the ability to take initiative and stay motivated without constant oversight
- Meets deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Extremely organized and detail-oriented
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong, effective relationships with clients, & colleagues
- Expert-level written and verbal communication skills
- 5+ years of professional consumer-packaged goods experience (Natural/Specialty/Organic food and/or beverage preferred) or working for or with a food & beverage organization
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), and Adobe Acrobat
- Experience in interpreting SPINS/IRI, Nielsen and other syndicated data source
You Will Stand Out If You Have
- Strong understanding of C.A. Fortune's business model, culture, processes, and sister companies
- Syndicated data experience and comfort level in understanding trends for brands from a variety of data sources
- CRM – Salesforce (or other) experience preferred but not required
- Bachelor's Degree preferred or relevant experience
Perks
- 16 days of PTO
- 11 paid company holidays per year
- 2 paid volunteer days per year
- 3 months fully paid parental leave (regardless of gender)
- Medical, dental, and vision
- Paid company life insurance
- 401k with company match
- Summer hours (half day Fridays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day)
- Work from home flexibility
Come As You Are
C.A. is committed to making our company more inclusive. Diversity fuels our innovation and better connects us to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Based on research, we know that women and other marginalized groups tend to apply to roles only when their experience perfectly matches the job description. That said, we encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of qualifications, especially if this role aligns with your career trajectory.