Sales Business Development Jobs in Illinois
Sales Business Development jobs in Illinois are consistently in demand, with Chicago serving as one of the most active markets in the Midwest for this role across technology, financial services, manufacturing, and logistics. Hiring is concentrated in Chicago, Naperville, and Rosemont, where established employers such as Salesforce, Grainger, and Zebra Technologies maintain significant sales operations. The most sought-after specialties include enterprise software sales, B2B account development, and channel partnerships, with openings for candidates at every level from associate to senior director. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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VP of Sales & Business Development
Milton Industries | Chicagoland / Midwest (Remote) | Full-Time
Milton Industries is looking for a Vice President of Sales & Business Development to lead and grow our sales organization across all channels. You’ll report to the President/CEO and work closely with the Board and our private equity partner, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP). You’ll own the commercial strategy that drives revenue, profitability, and market share.
What you’ll do
1. Build and carry out the sales and business development plan across industrial distribution/MRO, automotive aftermarket retail, mobile tool distribution, wholesale distributors (WDs) and buying groups, hardware/mass retail, eCommerce, OEM, national accounts, and international markets
2. Own executive relationships with key partners such as Grainger, Fastenal, MSC, AutoZone, O’Reilly, NAPA, Snap-on, Matco and Amazon
3. Lead line reviews, joint business plans, and negotiations on pricing, rebates, co-op and MAP (minimum advertised price)
4. Set budgets, forecasts, targets and KPIs, and make sure the team uses the CRM well and bases account decisions on data
5. Lead and develop national, regional and channel sales managers, plus inside sales and customer service
6. Work with Product, Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain on new products, forecasting, and customer service
7. Shape the commercial side of the value-creation plan with the CEO, Board and LLCP, and support acquisitions and entry into new markets
8. Represent Milton at AAPEX/SEMA and other industry shows
Requirements:What you bring
1. 15+ years of progressive sales experience, including 10+ years in sales leadership and 5+ years at director or executive level in manufacturing, industrial distribution, automotive aftermarket, pneumatics/fluid power, hand tools, or related industries
2. A record of profitable growth leading multi-channel sales organizations
3. Direct experience with national industrial distributors, auto aftermarket retailers, mobile tool networks, and two-step distribution and buying groups
4. eCommerce expertise, including Amazon 1P/3P, digital shelf, retail media, and MAP enforcement
5. Working knowledge of customer product data requirements (PIES/ACES, EDI, PIM)
6. Executive-level relationships in one or more of these channels strongly preferred
7. Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
8. Willingness to travel 40–50%
What we offer
1. Competitive base salary and annual performance bonus
2. Long-term equity incentive and the opportunity to co-invest alongside our private equity partner
3. A seat on the executive leadership team of a PE-backed manufacturer
4. Medical, Dental & Vision Plans
5. 401K
6. Life insurance, LTD, STD
Milton Industries is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations are available on request.
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Find JobsSales Business Development Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Sales Business Development Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in sales business development jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field required
- Proven experience in B2B sales, account management, or business development preferred
- Familiarity with CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot
- Strong ability to build and manage a pipeline of prospective clients
- Experience presenting to and negotiating with mid-market or enterprise buyers
- Willingness to travel within Illinois or the broader Midwest territory as needed
Sales Business Development Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a sales business development in Illinois?
Most sales business development roles in Illinois do not require a state-issued license, but employers consistently prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field. Building experience through inside sales, account coordination, or marketing roles is the most common path into business development. Completing a recognized sales certification such as the Certified Professional Sales Person credential can strengthen a candidacy, and Chicago's dense concentration of corporate headquarters creates practical pathways through internships and rotational programs.
How much do sales business developments make in Illinois?
Sales business developments in Illinois earn a median of about $73,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $44,130 for the lowest 10% to over $134,030 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire sales business developments in Illinois?
Employers hiring sales business developments in Illinois right now include Wolters Kluwer, Hyatt, and Henkel, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's mix of Fortune 500 headquarters, major technology firms, and large industrial companies means demand for this role is distributed across multiple sectors throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most sales business development jobs?
The Illinois cities with the most sales business development openings are Chicago, Riverwoods, and Schaumburg. Chicago dominates the market as the state's primary corporate hub, drawing demand from its financial, technology, and professional services sectors, while suburban centers like Naperville and Rosemont attract openings from large manufacturing and logistics companies headquartered along the I-88 and O'Hare corridors.
Are there remote sales business development jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and they're more common than in many other fields. About 64% of sales business development openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the role centers on calls, virtual presentations, and digital outreach. Prospecting, pipeline management, and internal strategy work are the functions most frequently performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a sales business development in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an inside sales or sales development representative role, which large Illinois employers such as Salesforce, CDW, and Grainger use as structured on-ramps for candidates without direct business development experience. Associate account manager and sales operations coordinator positions at Chicago-area technology and industrial firms also serve as practical starting points. Completing a recognized sales methodology training program and building a portfolio of outreach projects or internship results gives candidates a meaningful edge when applying through these programs.
Where can I find and apply to sales business development jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to sales business development jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across Chicago and the rest of the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 35 Sales Business Development Jobs in Illinois
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