Business Development Partner (Canada)
Location: Canada
Department: International Sales
Reports To: GM, Canada
Travel: Yes
Status: Full-Time, Permanent Salaried
Position Summary
The Business Development Partner – Canada is responsible for supporting the growth, execution, and operational effectiveness of United Wheels’ Canadian business. This role operates as a cross-functional contributor across sales, business development, channel management, and commercial execution, with a primary focus on expanding non-core accounts and underdeveloped channels.
The position is designed to extend the capacity of the General Manager by assuming ownership of defined business segments and executional responsibilities. The role will focus on secondary mass accounts, Independent Bicycle Dealer (IBD) channel coordination, and digital/e-commerce development, while supporting broader commercial and operational initiatives.
The Business Development Partner will work closely with internal stakeholders across sales, marketing, operations, and supply chain to ensure alignment between customer requirements, product availability, and execution timelines.
What Success Looks Like
- Own and Grow Assigned Accounts & Channels: Successfully manage and expand secondary mass accounts and emerging opportunities while driving measurable growth across assigned segments.
- Activate and Strengthen the IBD & Rep Network: Establish consistent engagement, accountability, and pipeline visibility across the Independent Bicycle Dealer channel and rep network, resulting in increased activity and sales traction.
- Drive Execution Across Digital, Marketing, and Operations: Ensure key initiatives (e-commerce, marketing programs, and order execution) are implemented effectively and on time, improving overall business performance and reducing executional gaps.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Business Development & Account Management
- Manage and grow secondary and emerging mass retail accounts
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities across retail, digital, and distribution channels
- Support expansion of domestic Canadian market share beyond core national accounts
- Assist in onboarding new customers, including product selection, pricing, and program execution
Specialty & Channel Development (IBD)
- Act as a primary liaison for Independent Bicycle Dealer (IBD) network in Canada
- Coordinate with internal and external sales representatives to drive Batch, Niner, and specialty product growth
- Maintain regular communication cadence with reps to monitor pipeline, performance, and opportunities
- Support development of underpenetrated segments with long-term growth potential
Digital & E-Commerce Expansion
- Support growth across .ca digital channels (Amazon, retailer websites, direct-to-consumer opportunities)
- Troubleshoot and manage digital account issues (e.g., listings, platform onboarding, fulfillment challenges)
- Identify opportunities to improve online visibility, conversion, and fulfillment strategies
- Marketing & Go-To-Market Execution
- Partner with U.S.-based marketing teams to execute Canadian-specific campaigns and initiatives
- Help translate strategy into execution across seasonal product launches
- Identify gaps in current marketing efforts and drive accountability to ensure follow-through
Operational & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Work closely with operations, logistics, and customer service to support order execution, inventory flow, and fulfillment
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders across sales, finance, and supply chain
- Support warehouse and parts/warranty operations as needed to ensure customer satisfaction
Strategic Support & Leadership Development
- Enable the General Manager to focus on core strategic accounts by owning key executional responsibilities
- Contribute to long-term growth strategy, including category expansion (e.g., BMX, seasonal products like Stiga)
- Participate in forecasting, planning cycles, and business reviews
Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Education & Experience Requirements
- 4+ years of experience in business development, sales, or commercial operations
- Experience in consumer goods, sporting goods, retail, or seasonal product categories preferred
- Exposure to mass retail (big box), specialty retail, or distributor models
- Strong understanding of sales cycles, account management, and market development
- Experience working cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and supply chain teams
- Familiarity with e-commerce or digital sales channels is a strong plus
- Highly adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable operating in lean environments
