This job is located in Wood Dale, IL.
About OPTO
"We help our retailers win." OPTO is a leading designer and US manufacturer of retail fixtures in both the domestic and international markets. For over 40 years, we have led the way in retail display ingenuity, manufacturing display solutions backed by a comprehensive team of designers, engineers, and craftsmen. As a team we provide service and modular display solutions personalized and customized to our retailer's needs. OPTO's modular systems offer limitless ways to tailor to our client's vision. Our team strikes the balance between form and function to deliver a retail experience that is authentic to each retailer's brand.
Job Summary
OPTO is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Business Development Coordinator to support our design-led sales and marketing teams. This role blends strategic outreach, market research, and internal coordination to help drive growth and expand our reach into targeted retail segments. From initial prospecting to tradeshow support, the Business Development Coordinator ensures our outreach efforts are timely, professional, and aligned with OPTO's business goals.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building authentic relationships, and is energized by behind-the-scenes contributions that lead to visible results.
This position requires travel to attend industry events, such as conferences and tradeshows. Depending on prospects and project opportunities, travel for client visits may also be needed.
Key Responsibilities:
Research & Prospecting
- Research and identify potential retail clients and A&D firms using platforms like ZoomInfo and LinkedIn.
- Take ownership of specific retail segments previously researched by the team; maintain, update, and build upon these segment portfolios for ongoing growth.
- Monitor capital projects across sectors such as collegiate, hospitality, stadiums, and live events.
- Stay current on retail trends, competitive activity, and industry shifts to inform outreach strategies.
- Track upcoming tradeshows, networking events, and speaking opportunities.
Outreach & Lead Generation
- Focus primarily on warm outreach-including post-tradeshow follow-ups and marketing-generated leads.
- Execute cold outreach (email, LinkedIn, mailers) as directed by your manager, based on industry trends and high-potential accounts.
- Craft and deliver prospect communications in coordination with the Marketing team.
- Support efforts to re-engage past clients and keep conversations active with warm leads.
- Schedule and coordinate meetings, Lunch & Learns, and sales support materials.
CRM & Data Management
- Maintain and update lead records in CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot).
- Segment and organize contact lists for targeted outreach.
- Track inquiry activity and report on lead status to support team visibility and planning.
- Maintain ownership over your portion of the CRM dataset-ensuring clean, current, and complete records.
- Marketing & Tradeshow Support
- Coordinate logistics for tradeshows and industry events-including shipments, schedules, and on-site materials.
- Prepare outreach collateral, sample kits, and A&D library packages.
- Assist with pre- and post-show communications and lead tracking.
- Work closely with Marketing to ensure consistent messaging across touchpoints.
Soft Skills & Traits
- Natural relationship-builder who connects easily with others while maintaining authenticity and professionalism.
- Self-starter with a growth mindset and eagerness to learn about the retail industry and OPTO's product offerings to engage confidently and knowledgeably with prospects and clients.
- Curious and confident-comfortable asking questions, digging into details, and building product knowledge to support meaningful conversations.
- Detail-oriented with excellent time management and follow-through.
- Team player who collaborates effectively across departments to support shared goals.
- Adaptable and resourceful-able to prioritize tasks, shift gears quickly, manage multiple conversations at once, and stay organized in a fast-paced, multitasking environment.
Qualifications: - Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, or a related field preferred.
- 2+ years of experience in business development, lead generation, or sales support.
- Retail experience in any capacity (sales, operations, merchandising, design, etc.) is valuable; experience in fixture manufacturing is a plus.
- Familiarity with CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot; ZoomInfo experience preferred.
- Strong research, communication, and organizational skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable adopting new digital tools.
What We Offer:
- A collaborative, creative, and supportive team passionate about retail design and innovation.
- A diverse workload that allows involvement from initial outreach through project delivery.
- A casual, professional work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
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