Sales & Business Development Manager
Artisan Specialty Foods, Broadview, Illinois, United States, 60155
Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc.
is a foodservice distribution company dedicated to the small, artisanal handcrafted producers of specialty foods both internationally and locally. We are also the liaison between several boutique family farms, ranches and cooperatives and the Chefs who look for the finest in specialty meat, poultry, and game.
3>About the Role The Sales & Business Development Manager drives top-line growth by leading Artisan’s regional sales initiatives and strengthening customer relationships across the greater Chicago market. This position combines direct sales with leadership responsibilities which include overseeing, coaching, and developing Sales Associates while executing strategies that expand market share, improve profitability, and ensure consistent month-over-month and year-over-year sales growth.
The ideal candidate is a motivated, metrics-driven professional with a deep understanding of foodservice distribution, customer relationship management, and sales pipeline development. This individual plays a key role in translating Artisan’s brand value into actionable sales strategies, ensuring customer success and sustainable business expansion.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee, train, and mentor Sales Associates, ensuring effective territory coverage, sales execution, and account management.
Lead by example through active field engagement, joint sales calls, and customer visits.
Establish and monitor sales goals, KPIs, and activity metrics for team performance.
Support professional development through coaching, feedback, and performance reviews.
Strategic Growth & Pipeline Management
Develop and execute regional sales strategies that drive new business acquisition and strengthen existing customer relationships.
Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline — from prospecting through conversion and retention — ensuring sustained growth.
Track, analyze, and forecast sales performance using data insights.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align promotional efforts, pricing strategy, and customer engagement.
Identify emerging market trends and recommend strategies to capture new opportunities.
Customer Relationship Management
Serve as a strategic partner to key accounts, providing personalized solutions and proactive communication.
Understand customer needs, industry trends, and product applications to provide tailored recommendations.
Troubleshoot order or service issues promptly and maintain open communication between customers and internal departments.
Administrative & Operational Duties
Prepare reports, forecasts, and territory sales budgets.
Ensure accurate documentation of sales activities, pipeline updates, and customer information.
Support collections efforts by coordinating with accounting on outstanding receivables.
Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience considered.
Experience
Minimum 3–5 years of foodservice, distribution, or B2B sales experience, including at least 1–2 years in a team lead, supervisor, or trainer capacity.
Proven track record in building and managing a sales pipeline and delivering consistent revenue growth.
Skills & Attributes
Strong leadership and team coaching abilities.
Strategic thinker with analytical capability to forecast and evaluate sales data.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge of foodservice, hospitality, or specialty food industry preferred.
Work Environment & Additional Information
Chicago-based role with field travel throughout assigned region.
Requires valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance meeting company standards.
Must be available for occasional evening or weekend customer events.
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. for samples and materials.
Full benefits offering including 401k match
Salary range - $90k - $110k annually
Why This Role Matters The Sales & Business Development Manager plays a pivotal role in driving Artisan’s mission to deliver exceptional service and industry-leading products to our customers. By combining sales leadership with strategic vision, this role ensures that every customer experience strengthens Artisan’s reputation for quality, responsiveness, and partnership. Through disciplined pipeline management, collaborative teamwork, and consistent follow-through, this position directly impacts revenue growth, customer loyalty, and the company’s long-term success.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
is a foodservice distribution company dedicated to the small, artisanal handcrafted producers of specialty foods both internationally and locally. We are also the liaison between several boutique family farms, ranches and cooperatives and the Chefs who look for the finest in specialty meat, poultry, and game.
3>About the Role The Sales & Business Development Manager drives top-line growth by leading Artisan’s regional sales initiatives and strengthening customer relationships across the greater Chicago market. This position combines direct sales with leadership responsibilities which include overseeing, coaching, and developing Sales Associates while executing strategies that expand market share, improve profitability, and ensure consistent month-over-month and year-over-year sales growth.
The ideal candidate is a motivated, metrics-driven professional with a deep understanding of foodservice distribution, customer relationship management, and sales pipeline development. This individual plays a key role in translating Artisan’s brand value into actionable sales strategies, ensuring customer success and sustainable business expansion.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee, train, and mentor Sales Associates, ensuring effective territory coverage, sales execution, and account management.
Lead by example through active field engagement, joint sales calls, and customer visits.
Establish and monitor sales goals, KPIs, and activity metrics for team performance.
Support professional development through coaching, feedback, and performance reviews.
Strategic Growth & Pipeline Management
Develop and execute regional sales strategies that drive new business acquisition and strengthen existing customer relationships.
Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline — from prospecting through conversion and retention — ensuring sustained growth.
Track, analyze, and forecast sales performance using data insights.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align promotional efforts, pricing strategy, and customer engagement.
Identify emerging market trends and recommend strategies to capture new opportunities.
Customer Relationship Management
Serve as a strategic partner to key accounts, providing personalized solutions and proactive communication.
Understand customer needs, industry trends, and product applications to provide tailored recommendations.
Troubleshoot order or service issues promptly and maintain open communication between customers and internal departments.
Administrative & Operational Duties
Prepare reports, forecasts, and territory sales budgets.
Ensure accurate documentation of sales activities, pipeline updates, and customer information.
Support collections efforts by coordinating with accounting on outstanding receivables.
Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience considered.
Experience
Minimum 3–5 years of foodservice, distribution, or B2B sales experience, including at least 1–2 years in a team lead, supervisor, or trainer capacity.
Proven track record in building and managing a sales pipeline and delivering consistent revenue growth.
Skills & Attributes
Strong leadership and team coaching abilities.
Strategic thinker with analytical capability to forecast and evaluate sales data.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge of foodservice, hospitality, or specialty food industry preferred.
Work Environment & Additional Information
Chicago-based role with field travel throughout assigned region.
Requires valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance meeting company standards.
Must be available for occasional evening or weekend customer events.
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. for samples and materials.
Full benefits offering including 401k match
Salary range - $90k - $110k annually
Why This Role Matters The Sales & Business Development Manager plays a pivotal role in driving Artisan’s mission to deliver exceptional service and industry-leading products to our customers. By combining sales leadership with strategic vision, this role ensures that every customer experience strengthens Artisan’s reputation for quality, responsiveness, and partnership. Through disciplined pipeline management, collaborative teamwork, and consistent follow-through, this position directly impacts revenue growth, customer loyalty, and the company’s long-term success.
#J-18808-Ljbffr