Business Development Manager

Kafene • Chicago, IL

20h • Remote

About The Position

Kafene is revolutionizing the lease-to-own space by leveraging cutting-edge AI and machine learning to provide flexible lease-to-own options to both prime and non-prime customers. This empowers retailers in sectors like furniture, appliances, electronics, tires, and durable goods to approve more customers. The company has achieved over $500 million in sales and operates with a 150-person team across NYC, Wilmington, and remote locations, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and support. Kafene has been recognized as a Built In Startup to Watch and a Forbes Best Startup Employer. The Business Development Manager (BDM) is a critical role focused on driving growth by identifying, signing, and onboarding new retail partners. The BDM will build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to expand Kafene’s footprint in target industries. This position requires a strategic thinker with a hunter mentality who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. This is a remote role, but candidates must be located within a 100-mile radius of Chicago or Rockford, IL.

Requirements

• You have 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or a related field.
• You have a proven track record of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets and driving significant revenue growth.
• You possess a strong understanding of retail operations and financing solutions, with the ability to leverage this knowledge to drive success.
• You excel in communication, negotiation, and presentation, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• You are self-motivated, with a strong ability to work independently and collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• You are proficient in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) and the Microsoft Office Suite, ensuring seamless management of sales processes and communication.
• You must have a valid driver's license, as this role requires regular travel to client sites.

Nice To Haves

• preference for backgrounds in fintech, retail, or B2B industries

Responsibilities

• Identify and target prospective retail partners within designated industries and geographic regions.
• Conduct outbound sales activities, including cold calls, email campaigns, and in-person visits, to engage decision-makers.
• Present Kafene’s value proposition and financing solutions tailored to retailer needs.
• Develop and execute a robust business development plan to meet and exceed sales targets.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align sales strategies with company objectives and market trends.
• Establish internal relationships with the account management team to ensure an efficient handoff of retailers to their account managers.
• Partner with the account management team to onboard retailers.
• Monitor and analyze market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Provide insights and recommendations to the leadership team to enhance Kafene’s product offerings and market positioning.
• Work closely with the Account Management team to ensure newly signed retailers are effectively transitioned and supported in their first 90 days.
• Partner with marketing and product teams to refine messaging, promotional materials, and sales tools.

Benefits

• Earn a competitive base salary of $80,000 to $95,000, plus a lucrative commission structure.
• We prioritize your well-being by covering 80% of medical, dental, and vision insurance costs, including coverage for your spouse, children, and other dependents.
• Begin planning for your future from day one with our 401k plan.
• We understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer flexible paid time off days starting from day one of your employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees