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Business Development Jobs in Athens, AL (NOW HIRING)

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Business Development information

See Athens, AL salary details

$35.2K

$82.6K

$143.8K

How much do business development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for business development in Athens, AL is $82,616.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,900.00 and $96,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a business development professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Business Development professional, you need strong market research skills, sales acumen, networking ability, and typically a degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with CRM software, data analysis tools, and lead generation platforms is often required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills help you stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for identifying growth opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and driving revenue for the organization.

What is business development?

Business development refers to the strategies, activities, and processes that organizations use to grow and expand their business. This can include identifying new markets, forming partnerships, generating leads, and creating long-term value for the organization. Professionals in business development often work closely with sales, marketing, and product teams to drive growth and increase revenue. Their role is crucial for helping companies find new opportunities and stay competitive in the market.

What jobs are in business development?

Business development jobs are available in most industries. They include specialists, associates, coordinators, sales and executive positions, advisors, and various seniority levels (President, VP, etc.) based on the size of the company. There are also consultant positions if you prefer to be an independent contractor. Entry to mid-level positions require 1-5 years of experience and include representatives, associates, and specialists who focus on increasing sales. Senior level positions include directors, managers, and presidents, which require in-depth knowledge of your chosen industry and 5-10 years of proven sales success.

What are some common challenges faced by business development professionals when entering new markets?

Business development professionals often encounter challenges such as understanding local customer needs, navigating unfamiliar regulations, and building new relationships in untapped markets. They must adapt strategies to fit cultural differences and market dynamics, which may require additional research and flexible thinking. Collaborating with local teams, leveraging existing networks, and staying updated on market trends can help overcome these obstacles and pave the way for successful market entry.

What do you do as a business development?

A business development professional identifies growth opportunities, builds relationships with potential clients or partners, and develops strategies to expand a company's market presence. They often conduct market research, negotiate deals, and collaborate with sales and marketing teams to achieve revenue goals.

What is the difference between Business Development vs Sales?

AspectBusiness DevelopmentSales
Primary FocusIdentifying new market opportunities and partnershipsClosing deals and generating revenue
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, market research, relationship buildingClient meetings, negotiations, direct selling
Required SkillsNetworking, strategic thinking, industry knowledgeCommunication, persuasion, product knowledge
Common CertificationsBusiness development certifications, MBA often preferredSales certifications, product-specific training

While both roles aim to grow the company's revenue, Business Development focuses on creating strategic partnerships and exploring new markets, whereas Sales concentrates on closing deals with clients. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or hiring the appropriate professional for your business needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Business Development jobs in Athens, AL? The most popular types of Business Development jobs in Athens, AL are:
What cities near Athens, AL are hiring for Business Development jobs? Cities near Athens, AL with the most Business Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Business Development job openings in Athens, AL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,616 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Business Development Rep

Imperial Trading

Huntsville, AL • Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 29 days ago


Imperial Trading rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

207th of 410 rated retail wholesalers


Job description

Imperial Trading Company is seeking a highly motivated Business Development Representative to join our team in the Wholesale Trade Food industry. As a Business Development Rep, you will be responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, and achieving sales targets. You will work closely with the sales and marketing teams to develop and implement effective strategies to increase revenue and market share. Your success in this role will be measured by your ability to generate new business and maintain strong relationships with existing clients.

Location: Birmingham, AL (Birmingham/Hoover/Huntsville)

BENEFITS:

  • Competitive Medical, Dental, & Vision packages
  • Employer paid basic life policy with competitive buy-up options
  • Disability insurance
  • 401(k) with employer match

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Proven experience as a Business Development Representative or similar role
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in the Wholesale Trade Food industry
  • Knowledge of sales and marketing techniques
  • Familiarity with related software
  • Ability to analyze and interpret sales data
  • Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed sales targets

Responsibilities:

  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities through research, networking, and cold calling
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty
  • Achieve sales targets and contribute to the growth of the company
  • Collaborate with the sales and marketing teams to develop and implement effective strategies to increase revenue and market share
  • Provide regular reports on sales activities and progress towards targets

Skills:

As a Business Development Rep, you will use your excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong relationships with clients. You will also use your strong organizational and time management skills to manage your sales activities and achieve your targets. Your ability to analyze and interpret sales data will be essential in developing effective sales strategies. Additionally, your knowledge of sales and marketing techniques and familiarity with CRM software will enable you to contribute to the growth of the company.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Plan, coordinate and effectively execute all sales strategies for all assigned accounts consistent with assigned company sales initiatives. Responsible for attaining sales growth and profitability objectives as directed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES are listed below: Additional duties, which are necessary to carry out the function of the Sales Consultant position, may be assigned and are incorporated by reference into this job description.

  • Reports to work, meetings, and scheduled business affairs on time, as directed by management and completes above listed tasks in a competent manner;
  • Responsible for maintaining proficiency with current computer technology and all hardware and software in order to effectively perform all duties and responsibilities as assigned in this job description;
  • Responsible for effectively resolving all customer issues and opportunities including timely notification to supervisor, Sales Support Manager, affected departments and personnel; timely and on-going follow up required to all parties to ensure successful resolution;
  • Responsible for creating and implementing business development initiatives inside all assigned accounts consistent with company sales and profit directives;
  • Responsible for assisting the credit department with collections as well as any additional matters related to accounts receivable retail issues;
  • Responsible for working with the appropriate Retail Service Representative or Sales Admin personnel to resolve issues for all assigned accounts;
  • Responsible for presenting and adding new products, programs and promotions, to all assigned accounts on a regular basis consistent with company sales and profit objectives; required to close retail distribution voids on priority products and programs; responsible and held accountable for accurate sales forecasting;
  • Responsible to identify, analyze and provide written business plan to supervisor on under-performing sales and profit accounts along with newly acquired accounts; required to regularly and timely monitor account sales and profit purchase compliance to goals; identifying and implementing corrective actions to supervisor for non-compliant accounts;
  • Responsible for efficient and timely responses in order to effectively manage changes of customer payments that may negatively affect accounts receivable;
  • Required to timely notify supervisor and Vice President of Retail Services of any issues pertaining to account pricing issues or competitive proposals;
  • Responsible for creating and maintaining a plan for timely and regular visits at customer chain head quarter, chain store locations and all assigned independent accounts and develop effective relationships with decision makers and/or store level management and personnel;
  • Responsible for generating new business leads by identifying target accounts and establishing relationships with owners/managers in order to attain the new business; requires timely written documentation and submission of all opportunities to supervisor and timely status updates on opportunities; evaluate and update status quarterly on new business sales objective performance;
  • Perform a written analysis of potential accounts to determine profitability to company; secure new business within company financial and profitability guidelines;
  • Research, document and update competitive marketplace of services offered by competitors and comparison to company resources and tools available; identify competitive advantages and disadvantages; communicate effectively new services required to acquire business and/or remain competitive;
  • Responsible for timely working across all departments and personnel, in team approach to identify and resolve all issues and opportunities related to the acquisition and service of new accounts; maintain comprehensive knowledge of organizational capabilities; this includes but is not limited to working with Retail Services, Category Management, Merchandising, Information Technology and Operations to establish realistic timelines for task completions and account expectation management;
  • Customarily and is regularly engaged away from the Company’s place or places of business;
  • Reports to work, responsible to attend meetings, and scheduled business affairs on time, as directed by supervisor.

All personnel within this job description shall be subject to cross-training into jobs within the organization based on Company needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands of this job include light physical activity performing somewhat strenuous activities of an administrative, productive and/or technical nature that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. To perform the functions of this job the employee must regularly stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, use hands to touch, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here a representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions and in wet, humid conditions. The noise level of the work environment is moderate. The noise level of the work environment is moderate.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT POLICY:

Imperial Trading Co., LLC’s hiring, and employment practices are based on job qualifications, performance, and/or conduct without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT:

All employees of the Company are employees’ at-will and, as such, are free to resign at any time without reason. The Company, likewise, retains the right to terminate an employee's employment at any time with or without reason or notice. Nothing contained in the Employee Handbook, or any document provided to the employee is intended to be, nor should it be, construed as a guarantee that employment or any benefit will be continued for any period. Any salary figures provided to an employee in annual or monthly terms are stated for the sake of convenience or to facilitate comparisons and are not intended and do not create an employment contract for any specific period.


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