Business Development Manager-Lighting Specialist

Richelieu is a leading North American distributor, importer, and manufacturer of specialty hardware and complementary products. Our products serve kitchen and bathroom cabinet, storage and closet, home furnishing, office furniture manufacturers, door and window, residential and commercial woodworkers, and hardware retailers including renovation superstores. With over 150,000 product offerings, 112 locations, and a state-of-the-art field force, Richelieu passionately serves over 110,000 customers across North America.

About the role

The Business Development Manager-Lighting Specialist serves as the primary commercial link between Head Office and the Midwest/Western U.S. sales organization. This field-execution role focuses on translating national product and segment strategies into consistent regional results through sales support, training, and customer engagement. The position requires frequent regional travel (50–70%).

Responsibilities

• Drive adoption and specification of Richelieu’s lighting business segment across kitchen and bath dealers, retailers, distributors, and buying groups.
• Partner with sales reps on call planning, territory strategy, and customer development.
• Participate in joint customer visits, specification meetings, and showroom/site engagements.
• Support strategic accounts with pricing, quoting, and inventory alignment.
• Attend regional QBRs and provide feedback on execution, competitive dynamics, and market opportunities.
• Deliver product and category training across the region, including new product introductions and rollout support.
• Lead customer-facing demonstrations and technical discussions.
• Coordinate with Product Champions to ensure consistent messaging and execution.
• Support adoption of sales tools, merchandising standards, and catalogs.
• Serve as a regional interface with key suppliers and product managers.
• Promote consistent CRM usage and pipeline visibility.
• Provide concise monthly updates on activity, pipeline, and key initiatives.

Requirements

• Successful business development experience with retailers in the home improvement segment (building materials, construction, etc.).
• Ability to "hunt" new relationships and "farm" existing retail customers.
• Self-starter able to work independently with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel 50–70% of the time.
• College degree preferred but not required; equivalent experience considered.

Benefits

• Competitive market-based salary plus monthly, quarterly, and annual commissions.
• Monthly car allowance and covered fuel expenses.
• Business expense reimbursement.
• Group insurance program (medical, dental, vision, life, disability).
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer matching.
• 401(K) with employer matching.
• Company-provided cell phone.
• Paid vacation, sick days, and 9 paid holidays per year.