Business Development Lead — Retail & CPG Commerce Remote (U.S.-based preferred)

About SideChef

SideChef is a leading global food tech company that empowers brands, retailers, and consumers through cutting-edge recipe technology and commerce solutions. Our platform connects food inspiration to real purchase behavior by powering engaging recipe hubs, shoppable content, and performance-driven CPO (Cost-Per-Order) commerce campaigns.

SideChef’s consumer app has been recognized as a favorite cooking app by USA Today and The New York Times, named “Best App of the Year” by Google Play, and ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for its rapid growth and strategic innovation. 

We work with world-class partners across CPG, retail, and technology, including retail leaders (Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Marks & Spencer) and major brands (Nestle, Unilever, Goya), to drive measurable business impact through recipe engagement and commerce initiatives. 

We are a boutique global, remote-first company with teams across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. We move fast, operate lean, and give real ownership to people who earn it.

The Opportunity

This role is for someone who wants to prove what they’re capable of.

You may not come from food CPG or retail directly—but you understand how to sell into complex ecosystems: brands, agencies, retailers, platforms, or commerce partners. You know how to open doors, build trust, and turn ambiguity into momentum.

You will own both:

• New logo acquisition 
• Expansion and growth of existing partners 

If you are someone who thrives when the outcome matters more than the process, and who sees flexibility and ownership as advantages—not risks—this role is designed for you. This is a leadership position, with support from junior BD resources, with opportunity to expand their team as the business scales.

What You’ll Own

• Build and close new partnerships with food CPG brands, agencies, and retailers
• Lead sales for:
  • CPO (Cost-Per-Order) performance campaigns 
  • Recipe shoppability technology
  • Recipe hub / content commerce solutions
• Develop a repeatable go-to-market motion for CPO (pilots → scale → renewals)
• Manage and grow a portfolio of active partners, expanding scope and spend
• Work cross-functionally with product, ops, and leadership—without needing constant direction
• Represent SideChef credibly with senior stakeholders on the brand, agency, and retail side

• Our business services: https://www.sidechef.com/business/

   

Who This Role Is For

This role is intentionally not for everyone.

It is for you if:

• You are a self-starter who doesn’t wait to be told what to do
• You thrive in remote, async, startup environments
• You want ownership, accountability, and visible impact—not bureaucracy
• You take pride in building something from scratch and making it work
• You’re motivated by performance, upside, and personal growth
• You want to look back in 2–3 years and say: “I built this.”

Background We’re Looking For

• 5–10 years of experience in business development, partnerships, or sales
• Experience selling into CPGs, retailers, agencies, retail media, adtech, or commerce platforms
  (Direct food experience is a plus, not a requirement)
• Proven ability to:
  • Open new logos
  • Own a number
  • Close deals without heavy enablement
• Comfortable selling value-based, performance-driven solutions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Working Model & Expectations

• Fully remote
• U.S.-based preferred
• Ability to overlap 2–4 hours, several days per week, with China Standard Time (where our development team is located) for internal coordination
• High autonomy, high accountability

Compensation & Upside

We structure compensation to reward performance and ownership.

• Competitive base salary
• Meaningful variable compensation tied to results (uncapped)
• Equity upside for long-term contributors
• Clear path to increased responsibility and leadership as the role scales

Exact compensation will depend on experience and performance expectations, but this role is designed for someone who values upside over comfort.

Why Join SideChef

• Real product-market traction with top-tier partners
• A clear growth wedge in performance-based commerce (CPO)
• Direct access to leadership and decision-making
• The chance to build a meaningful business, not just hit quota
• A role that grows as fast as you do

If this role excites you—and slightly intimidates you—that’s a good sign.

Apply with a brief note explaining why this opportunity matters to you and what you want to prove next in your career.