Business Development Manager
at Thoughtworks
Chicago, United States
Business Development Executive – Retail & CPG
Role Overview
We are seeking a proven Business Development Executive (BDE) with deep Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) expertise to drive new business and strategic growth across the Americas. You’ll identify, shape, and close transformative technology and digital engagements—partnering with senior business and IT leaders to deliver measurable value and differentiation through custom software engineering, data, and platform modernization.
Job responsibilities
- Develop and execute go-to-market strategies to acquire and grow enterprise clients within Retail & CPG. Prospect, qualify, and build a 3x qualified pipeline through professional networks,partnerships, and creative outreach.
- Lead full sales cycles—deal shaping, proposal orchestration, negotiations(MSA/SOW/rate cards), and closing complex $10M+ opportunities.
- Position the full Thoughtworks portfolio: product design, custom software, data and AI,cloud, and managed services.
- Partner with C-suite and senior executives to align technology investments with strategic priorities.
- Collaborate with delivery, solutioning, marketing, and alliance partners (AWS, Microsoft,Google Cloud) to tailor and co-create solutions.
- Stay ahead of industry shifts and act as a trusted advisor on digital transformation,innovation, and modernization.
Job qualifications
Technical Skills
- Deep understanding of Retail & CPG value chains, including omnichannel commerce, merchandising, supply chain, digital marketing, and customer experience.
- Knowledge of industry models (grocery, apparel, DTC, marketplaces, B2B2C) and emerging priorities such as retail media networks, personalization, AI-driven demandforecasting, and ESG innovation.
- Proven success selling custom software, product engineering, and transformationprograms (modernization, data, AI, cloud).
Professional Skills
- 10+ years of consultative sales experience in digital transformation, custom application development, or IT services.
- “Hunter” mindset with a track record of closing large-scale enterprise deals ($10M+ TCV).
- Gravitas to engage C-level executives and navigate complex buying processes.
- Strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and ability to articulate differentiated business value.
- Entrepreneurial drive to lead strategic pursuits and mobilize cross-functional teams.
Other things to know
Learning & Development
There is no one-size-fits-all career path at Thoughtworks: however you want to develop your career is entirely up to you. But we also balance autonomy with the strength of our cultivation culture. This means your career is supported by interactive tools, numerous development programs and teammates who want to help you grow. We see value in helping each other be our best and that extends to empowering our employees in their career journeys.
About Thoughtworks
Thoughtworks is a dynamic and inclusive community of bright and supportive colleagues who are revolutionizing tech. As a leading technology consultancy, we’re pushing boundaries through our purposeful and impactful work. For 30+ years, we’ve delivered extraordinary impact together with our clients by helping them solve complex business problems with technology as the differentiator. Bring your brilliant expertise and commitment for continuous learning to Thoughtworks. Together, let’s be extraordinary.
Salary
Benefits: https://www.thoughtworks.com/en-us/careers/benefits
The annual salary range posted is subject to many factors and may vary depending on experience, geographic location, job responsibilities, performance, skills and/or training.