Business Development Manager - Fashion & Apparel

We are seeking a highly connected and entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to drive portfolio growth, expand enterprise brand partnerships, and pioneer new revenue channels. This leadership role is responsible for architecting and executing comprehensive Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, identifying high-value market whitespace, and connecting direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, corporate entities, and creators with the company's premium apparel and manufacturing merchandise solutions.

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives on relationship-building, has an established network in marketing, procurement, or events, and understands how to translate brand partnerships into meaningful business opportunities. This individual will play a critical role in shaping the Company's growth by sourcing new clients, nurturing long-term relationships, and developing strategic partnerships across multiple industries.

About the Company:

The Company is a design and production company specializing in high-quality apparel and branded merchandise. The company initially built its reputation by working with high-profile clients, including A-list celebrities and major industry events. After more than a decade of experience, the Company has expanded our model to support Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands and strategic brand partnerships.

By combining thoughtful design, production expertise, and strong industry relationships, the Company helps brands bring their identity to life through apparel and merchandise programs that resonate with their audiences. The Company focuses on delivering creative, scalable solutions that strengthen brand engagement and generate new revenue opportunities.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. Additionally, we are committed to transparency in compensation. The total compensation for this role includes a base salary range of $100,000–$150,000, along with a performance-driven incentive structure tied to business development outcomes.

As a BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, this role could include:

• Identify and prospect high-potential direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands that align with the Company's ideal customer profile.
• Develop and execute creative outbound prospecting strategies using email, LinkedIn, networking, referrals, industry events, and other relationship-building channels.
• Research prospective brands to understand their product positioning, customer base, growth trajectory, and merchandising strategy.
• Initiate conversations with founders, executives, and decision-makers to introduce the Company's capabilities and generate qualified opportunities.
• Qualify prospective clients by evaluating strategic fit, partnership potential, and commercial opportunity before transitioning opportunities to senior leadership.
• Collaborate closely with internal leadership to refine target account strategies, messaging, and market priorities.
• Continuously identify new market segments, emerging brands, and whitespace opportunities within the premium D2C landscape.
• Maintain accurate pipeline activity, prospect data, and outreach metrics within the CRM.
• Stay informed on consumer trends, apparel innovation, and emerging D2C brands to proactively identify future partnership opportunities.

Required Competencies

• 5+ years of experience in sales development, business development, outbound prospecting, or strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated success generating qualified pipeline through proactive outbound outreach.
• Experience selling into or working with consumer brands, apparel, lifestyle, fashion, beauty, or adjacent industries strongly preferred.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the confidence to engage executive-level stakeholders.
• Strong research and analytical abilities with the capability to quickly assess market opportunities.
• Highly self-directed with the ability to develop and execute independent prospecting strategies.
• Experience utilizing CRM platforms and modern sales engagement tools.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required.

Preferred Experience

• Experience selling to founder-led or growth-stage D2C brands.
• Existing network within the consumer products, lifestyle, fashion, or apparel industries.
• Familiarity with branded merchandise, apparel manufacturing, sourcing, or supply chain services.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and develop new approaches to outbound business development.