Manager Matcha Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Foodservice Sales Manager

Company: Tenzo Tea, Inc

Location: Chicago (Travel Required)

Workplace Type: Remote

Reports to: Director of Sales

About Tenzo:

At Tenzo, our mission is simple: to bring clean, sustainable energy to the world through the power of matcha green tea. Since 2016, we’ve been redefining how people think about caffeine, offering a healthier, more balanced alternative to coffee with our premium matcha products. As one of the fastest-growing matcha brands in the U.S., we’re proud to lead a movement prioritizing wellness, sustainability, and constant growth. We’re looking for passionate, detail-driven individuals to join our team and help us inspire better energy—and better days—for everyone.

Role Summary:

The Foodservice Sales Manager will lead Tenzo’s expansion across cafés, specialty coffee, hospitality groups, and foodservice accounts. You’ll be responsible for driving new account acquisition, managing distributor relationships, and building long-term recurring volume in your territory.

Reporting directly to the Director of Sales, you’ll operate as the in-market growth engine. You will identify opportunities, open doors, drive product trials, and turn new accounts into long-term customers.

This is a high-ownership role inside a fast-growing startup. We're looking for someone who takes initiative, builds relationships, and creates opportunities without waiting to be told what to do.

What We’re Looking For:

At Tenzo, we value creativity, execution, and the ability to adapt in a fast-moving environment. Whether you’re an experienced foodservice rep with deep café relationships or a highly motivated operator who knows how to build territory from scratch, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

Territory Development & Account Acquisition

• Identify and prioritize high-potential café and hospitality accounts
• Develop and execute outreach strategies to drive new account openings
• Build and maintain strong relationships with café owners, bar managers, and decision-makers
• Drive product trial and convert sampling into recurring volume

Distributor Management

• Work closely with distribution partners
• Educate distributor reps and support sell-through initiatives
• Manage pricing, placements, and inventory alignment
• Maintain strong communication between distributor partners and Tenzo.

Account Growth & Retention

• Expand product placement within existing accounts
• Support menu integration and staff education
• Drive recurring volume and upsell opportunities
• Maintain an organized sales pipeline and accurate CRM reporting.

Field Execution

• Represent Tenzo in-market with professionalism and energy
• Support launches, trainings, and sampling activations
• Strengthen brand credibility within the specialty coffee community

Reporting & Performance

• Track territory KPIs and revenue performance
• Maintain organized CRM and account notes
• Provide strategic feedback on market trends and competitive landscape
• Provide regular territory updates, sales forecasts, and quarterly business reviews.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven experience in foodservice or specialty coffee sales
• Existing relationships within the specialty coffee, café, or hospitality industry strongly preferred.
• Experience managing distributors strongly preferred
• Demonstrated track record of hitting or exceeding sales targets
• Highly self-motivated and disciplined with pipeline management
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Comfortable working independently in a field-based role
• Ability to travel within territory
• Experience in CPG, beverage, coffee, or food brands preferred
• Thrives in a fast-paced startup environment

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package designed to reward performance and support your success.

• Competitive base salary
• Uncapped commission
• Health benefits
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Travel reimbursement

Why Tenzo?

Join a company on a mission to revolutionize energy—one matcha at a time. At Tenzo, we’re not just selling tea; we’re redefining what it means to fuel your day with clean, sustained energy.

As one of the fastest-growing matcha brands in the country, we offer an exciting opportunity to be part of something bigger. Here, your work doesn’t just live on a screen—it shows up in coffee shops, at events, and in communities across the country.

Innovation moves fast, and so do we. If you’re someone who thrives in a high-energy, collaborative environment where execution is everything, you’ll fit right in. We’d rather slow you down than speed you up, so bring your drive, and let’s build something extraordinary together.

How to Apply:

If you're ready to help lead Tenzo’s Foodservice expansion, please send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you’re the right fit to hiring@tenzotea.co We can’t wait to meet you!