New Business Development Jobs for OPT Students
New Business Development jobs on OPT involve identifying growth opportunities, building client pipelines, and driving revenue for your employer. Most roles fall under business, marketing, or management degree categories, which align well with OPT authorization. Your 60-day grace period starts the moment your current role ends, so securing your next position quickly matters.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Millcreek Gardens is seeking a relationship-driven New Business Development & Landscape Accounts Manager to grow our wholesale customer base and serve as a trusted partner to our landscape clients. This role focuses on securing new business across garden centers, landscape companies, municipalities, resorts, golf courses, country clubs, and other B2B markets, while also owning and strengthening existing landscape accounts.
The ideal candidate builds lasting relationships, delivers tailored solutions, supports project success, and identifies opportunities for long-term growth.
Essential Responsibilities:
New Business Development
Garden Centers
- Identify and pursue new independent garden centers within the region to expand the customer base.
- Establish initial contact through outreach and in-person meetings, presenting Millcreek Gardens’ product lines with professionalism and integrity.
- Close new business and serve as the primary contact for new accounts during the first 12 months.
- Re-engage inactive accounts (three or more years without activity) to rebuild relationships and generate renewed sales.
Landscape Accounts & Commercial Markets
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all current and future Landscape Account customers, managing communications, relationships, and account growth.
- Identify, target, and engage prosperous and growing landscape companies, municipalities, high-end resorts, golf courses, country clubs, and other business-to-business buyers to expand sales volume and capture new opportunities.
- Establish Millcreek Gardens as a preferred supplier for high-end residential, commercial, and large-scale landscape projects.
- Provide tailored project solutions, advising on plant selection, availability, and seasonal considerations, and coordinating with internal teams to ensure accurate and timely fulfillment.
- Actively pursue job-specific and contract-growing opportunities while identifying ways to expand sales within existing landscape accounts.
- Build and maintain long-term customer trust by aligning customer expectations, resolving issues, and supporting successful project outcomes.
Contract & Job-Specific Sales
- Identify opportunities for job-specific and contract-growing programs.
- Engage customers early in planning cycles to secure advance commitments.
- Coordinate internally to ensure feasibility and alignment with production schedules.
- Manage contract growing inquiries by coordinating quotes with Growing Operations and Office staff and serving as the primary point of communication from quote through order completion.
Relationship Development and Customer Service
- Maintain high standards of customer service, reflecting integrity, professionalism, and plant quality in every interaction.
- Conduct face-to-face, phone, and email interactions at customer sites and Millcreek Gardens.
- Conduct scheduled and unscheduled customer visits to strengthen relationships and identify new sales opportunities.
Market Feedback & Product Development
- Provide input on new products, varieties, pricing, and promotional programs.
- Gather and analyze customer, competitor, and market intelligence to identify opportunities and improve product quality and availability.
- Share market insights with Growing staff to align production with customer demand.
- Recommend new plant varieties and product offerings based on customer feedback, site visits, trade shows, and market research to support sales growth.
Future Growth & Business Opportunities
- Identify and propose creative business development opportunities beyond current product offerings.
- Suggest and explore digital marketing strategies to reach new wholesale customers and expand market visibility.
Internal Collaboration
- Partner with the Sales Office Supervisor to align sales messaging and execute initiatives.
- Collaborate on marketing campaigns and customer engagement strategies, coordinating execution with the Customer Service Specialist.
- Coordinate with Growing and Office teams to ensure accurate marketing of live inventory.
- Facilitate clear communication between customers and Millcreek staff regarding plant quality, availability, logistics, and expectations.
Sales Goals & Reporting
- Establish and track sales goals aligned with company revenue expectations.
- Provide biweekly sales reports to the Sales Office Supervisor.
- Participate in monthly, in-person meetings with Leadership to discuss progress toward objectives, hot leads, and growth opportunities.
- Maintain a follow-up system to ensure new leads and opportunities are actively pursued.
Industry Events & Brand Representation
- Act as a brand ambassador at trade shows and customer visits, presenting a positive public image and promoting Millcreek’s quality products and service to existing and prospective customers.
- Attend up to six trade shows or industry events annually.
- Network with customers to ensure long-term relationship building.
- Participate in Millcreek Gardens-hosted events such as tours, open houses, and educational seminars to promote brand awareness and sales.
Decision-Making & Authority
- Make timely decisions within assigned accounts to drive customer satisfaction and sales results.
- Anticipate issues and propose solutions; escalate when appropriate.
Professional Expectations
- Allocate time effectively, prioritize responsibilities, and consistently deliver thorough, dependable work.
- Maintain professionalism in all customer and employee interactions.
- Participate in weekend work and extended hours during the busy Spring season as required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills with the ability to close sales
- Proven ability to build and maintain long-term customer relationships
- Demonstrated success in sales growth and account management
- Customer-focused mindset with strong relationship-building skills
- Ability to quickly learn inventory and sales software systems
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Key Attributes
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
- Highly driven with an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Trustworthy and committed to ethical decision-making.
- Highly accessible and responsive to customers.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 5 years sales experience
- Prior horticulture or related industry preferred
- Valid driver's license
Benefits
- Benefits package including: base salary with commission program, Paid Time Off benefits including PTO, and Holidays, option to participate in company insurance programs, option to participate in company retirement program with employer match.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ostrander, OH 43061
INTRODUCTION
Millcreek Gardens is seeking a relationship-driven New Business Development & Landscape Accounts Manager to grow our wholesale customer base and serve as a trusted partner to our landscape clients. This role focuses on securing new business across garden centers, landscape companies, municipalities, resorts, golf courses, country clubs, and other B2B markets, while also owning and strengthening existing landscape accounts.
The ideal candidate builds lasting relationships, delivers tailored solutions, supports project success, and identifies opportunities for long-term growth.
Essential Responsibilities:
New Business Development
Garden Centers
- Identify and pursue new independent garden centers within the region to expand the customer base.
- Establish initial contact through outreach and in-person meetings, presenting Millcreek Gardens’ product lines with professionalism and integrity.
- Close new business and serve as the primary contact for new accounts during the first 12 months.
- Re-engage inactive accounts (three or more years without activity) to rebuild relationships and generate renewed sales.
Landscape Accounts & Commercial Markets
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all current and future Landscape Account customers, managing communications, relationships, and account growth.
- Identify, target, and engage prosperous and growing landscape companies, municipalities, high-end resorts, golf courses, country clubs, and other business-to-business buyers to expand sales volume and capture new opportunities.
- Establish Millcreek Gardens as a preferred supplier for high-end residential, commercial, and large-scale landscape projects.
- Provide tailored project solutions, advising on plant selection, availability, and seasonal considerations, and coordinating with internal teams to ensure accurate and timely fulfillment.
- Actively pursue job-specific and contract-growing opportunities while identifying ways to expand sales within existing landscape accounts.
- Build and maintain long-term customer trust by aligning customer expectations, resolving issues, and supporting successful project outcomes.
Contract & Job-Specific Sales
- Identify opportunities for job-specific and contract-growing programs.
- Engage customers early in planning cycles to secure advance commitments.
- Coordinate internally to ensure feasibility and alignment with production schedules.
- Manage contract growing inquiries by coordinating quotes with Growing Operations and Office staff and serving as the primary point of communication from quote through order completion.
Relationship Development and Customer Service
- Maintain high standards of customer service, reflecting integrity, professionalism, and plant quality in every interaction.
- Conduct face-to-face, phone, and email interactions at customer sites and Millcreek Gardens.
- Conduct scheduled and unscheduled customer visits to strengthen relationships and identify new sales opportunities.
Market Feedback & Product Development
- Provide input on new products, varieties, pricing, and promotional programs.
- Gather and analyze customer, competitor, and market intelligence to identify opportunities and improve product quality and availability.
- Share market insights with Growing staff to align production with customer demand.
- Recommend new plant varieties and product offerings based on customer feedback, site visits, trade shows, and market research to support sales growth.
Future Growth & Business Opportunities
- Identify and propose creative business development opportunities beyond current product offerings.
- Suggest and explore digital marketing strategies to reach new wholesale customers and expand market visibility.
Internal Collaboration
- Partner with the Sales Office Supervisor to align sales messaging and execute initiatives.
- Collaborate on marketing campaigns and customer engagement strategies, coordinating execution with the Customer Service Specialist.
- Coordinate with Growing and Office teams to ensure accurate marketing of live inventory.
- Facilitate clear communication between customers and Millcreek staff regarding plant quality, availability, logistics, and expectations.
Sales Goals & Reporting
- Establish and track sales goals aligned with company revenue expectations.
- Provide biweekly sales reports to the Sales Office Supervisor.
- Participate in monthly, in-person meetings with Leadership to discuss progress toward objectives, hot leads, and growth opportunities.
- Maintain a follow-up system to ensure new leads and opportunities are actively pursued.
Industry Events & Brand Representation
- Act as a brand ambassador at trade shows and customer visits, presenting a positive public image and promoting Millcreek’s quality products and service to existing and prospective customers.
- Attend up to six trade shows or industry events annually.
- Network with customers to ensure long-term relationship building.
- Participate in Millcreek Gardens-hosted events such as tours, open houses, and educational seminars to promote brand awareness and sales.
Decision-Making & Authority
- Make timely decisions within assigned accounts to drive customer satisfaction and sales results.
- Anticipate issues and propose solutions; escalate when appropriate.
Professional Expectations
- Allocate time effectively, prioritize responsibilities, and consistently deliver thorough, dependable work.
- Maintain professionalism in all customer and employee interactions.
- Participate in weekend work and extended hours during the busy Spring season as required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills with the ability to close sales
- Proven ability to build and maintain long-term customer relationships
- Demonstrated success in sales growth and account management
- Customer-focused mindset with strong relationship-building skills
- Ability to quickly learn inventory and sales software systems
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Key Attributes
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
- Highly driven with an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Trustworthy and committed to ethical decision-making.
- Highly accessible and responsive to customers.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 5 years sales experience
- Prior horticulture or related industry preferred
- Valid driver's license
Benefits
- Benefits package including: base salary with commission program, Paid Time Off benefits including PTO, and Holidays, option to participate in company insurance programs, option to participate in company retirement program with employer match.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ostrander, OH 43061
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in New Business Development
Target companies with active OPT hiring history
Companies that have hired OPT students before understand the authorization process and are less likely to withdraw offers over paperwork concerns. Prioritize employers with a track record of supporting international hires in sales and business development functions.
Align your degree field to the role description
OPT authorization requires your job to be directly related to your degree. Business development roles typically qualify under business administration, marketing, or management degrees. Review the job description carefully and confirm the connection is explicit before applying.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Be direct about your OPT end date and whether you'll need H-1B sponsorship after. Employers in business development value transparency. Raising this early avoids wasted time and signals professionalism rather than desperation during the hiring process.
Emphasize revenue impact in your application materials
Business development hiring managers care about pipeline generation, deal value, and market expansion. Quantify your contributions from internships, capstone projects, or prior roles. Concrete numbers shift the conversation from your visa status to your actual business value.
Research which visa types the employer has sponsored before
Some companies sponsor H-1B visas regularly while others never have. Checking an employer's sponsorship history before applying saves time and helps you focus on companies where a long-term future is realistically possible beyond your OPT period.
Use your OPT period to build a verifiable sales track record
Employers considering H-1B sponsorship for a business development hire want proof you can close. Use your OPT employment to document wins, quota attainment, and client acquisition results. This record becomes your strongest sponsorship justification at renewal time.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do New Business Development jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, most New Business Development roles qualify for OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in business administration, marketing, international business, or management typically satisfy this requirement. If your degree is in an unrelated field, review the job description carefully to confirm a defensible connection before accepting an offer.
Can I use STEM OPT extension in a New Business Development role?
STEM OPT extension applies only to degrees in STEM-designated fields. Business and marketing degrees are generally not STEM-designated under the current DHS STEM list. However, if your degree is in a qualifying field like data science, economics, or management information systems, and the business development role involves analytical or technical work, a STEM extension may be possible. Confirm with your DSO.
Where can I find New Business Development jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting applications on employers who won't consider OPT workers. New Business Development roles on Migrate Mate span industries including SaaS, consulting, logistics, and healthcare technology, where international hiring is more common.
What happens to my OPT status if my New Business Development job ends?
Your 60-day grace period begins the day your employment ends. During this window, you can search for a new qualifying role, but you cannot work. If you secure a new position, your DSO updates your record to reflect the new employer. If you don't find work before the grace period ends, you're required to depart the U.S. or change to another valid status.
Will employers in business development sponsor me for an H-1B after my OPT?
It depends on the employer and your performance during OPT. Business development roles can qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B if the position requires a specific degree, but this is evaluated case by case. Larger companies with established immigration programs are more likely to sponsor. Demonstrating clear revenue impact during your OPT period strengthens any sponsorship case your employer builds.
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