Business Development Specialist - Ethnic Sales USA

Company Overview:

Alsafa Foods prides itself to be the largest halal food brand in North America, aiming to empower Muslims to strive for their dreams by
offering halal, guilt-free convenience foods. Started with a purpose 20 years back, we are moving at a double-digit growth rate and has also been named as one of the ‘10 fastest growing companies of Canada 2022’ by Insights Success Magazine.

Agility in innovation is the core of our excellence and is the unanimous ground for our eruptive growth in product range, product availability as
well as the geographical stretch. Al Safa has 60+ product offerings that are available across North America (USA & Canada) with retailers like Wal-Mart, No Frills, FreshCo, ShopRite & also key ethnic retailers serving the Muslim Community. It has also been awarded by Agri Export group for its innovative export strategy.

Position Summary:

We’re seeking a Business Development Specialist located within 30 - 60 minutes of major markets in Chicago to join our U.S. team. This role is critical to our ethnic sales expansion strategy and is designed for someone with a strong understanding of local market dynamics and retailer relationships within ethnic communities. The associate will play a hands-on role in driving revenue growth, expanding distribution through key partners, and strengthening Al Safa's brand presence on the ground. This is not just a sales role, it's a full-cycle business development position where the candidate will prospect, negotiate, activate accounts, and work cross-functionally with internal teams to deliver measurable results. Extensive travel within the assigned cluster is required.

Essential Roles & Responsibilities:

• Manage and grow distribution in the assigned cluster (Chicago).
• Actively identify new business opportunities via cold calling, networking, and referrals.
• Lead contract negotiations and ensure adherence to legal/commercial terms.
• Conduct product launches, demos, and local store visits.
• Build long-term partnerships with retailers and ethnic grocers.
• Attend relevant trade shows and regional industry events.
• Analyze performance, pricing, and competitor activity.
• Represent Al Safa as the point-of-contact for all business matters in the territory.

What We’re Looking For:

• Candidate must have a valid U.S. passport or driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and be able to travel frequently within the U.S
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, or a related field, with 2–3 years of experience in business development, retail sales, or account management within the CPG industry.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Proven ability to analyze sales data, monitor market trends, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with the ethnic food market in North America is a strong asset.
• Proficient in PowerBI and Microsoft Office; physically capable of lifting up to 15 kg during store visits or events.

Perks:

• Competitive compensation with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Paid time off and flexible, casual work environment.
• Travel reimbursement for cross-border visits
• Free and discounted halal food products
• Opportunity to shape Al Safa’s cross-border expansion strategy

Interview Process:

It is a three-step interview process and shall be conducted virtually at the corporate head office.