Social Enterprise Market Development Lead

We don’t have a mold for you to fit. We have a mission for you to join!

Most jobs want you to button up and blend in. At Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), we want the opposite. We want the unique perspectives, the diverse talents, and the personal story that make you who you are. Why? Because the youth we serve are not one size fits all, and the people who support them shouldn’t be either! At YOU, we believe meaningful impact is built collectively, and that every role contributes to something bigger than itself. We value your ability to bring fresh ideas to the table and innovate new ways for young people to thrive. In this role you will help to design and strengthen systems that empower our community, working within a team that walks alongside youth every step of the way!

Build a community where youth are embraced, empowered, and thrive. Be bold. Be authentic. Be YOU.

YOU is seeking an experienced Social Enterprise Market Development Lead – Woodshop, reporting to the Woodshop Production Manager to support the growth of a sustainable social enterprise within our Woodshop. This role will focus on developing sales and partnerships across construction, renovation, low-income housing, and commercial sectors, with an emphasis on kitchen cabinetry and millwork, alongside other CNC-supported products and partnership opportunities.

This position plays a key role in generating consistent woodshop production demand that directly supports youth training, skill development, and employment opportunities. The role also supports the identification of new market opportunities that maximize the Woodshop’s newly acquired CNC capabilities and expands the Social Enterprise’s revenue potential. This role focuses on relationship-driven partnerships rather than transactional retail sales.

YOU is open to flexible structures for this role, including full-time or performance-based arrangements, depending on the candidate’s experience, network and preferred working structure.

Responsibilities:

• Research and develop new revenue and partnership opportunities for cabinetry, millwork, and CNC-produced wood products
• Develop and manage sales opportunities throughout the full sales cycle with contractors, developers, renovation firms, housing organizations, commercial partners, and interior designers
• Professionally represent YOU and confidently introduce new partners to Woodshop products and Social Enterprise offerings
• Proactively develop relationships, manage sales pipeline, follow up on leads, and close deals
• Generate new business leads and build long-term client relationships
• Identify opportunities to expand CNC product offerings such as custom wood products, corporate gifts, and specialty items that complement core cabinetry work and maximize CNC capacity
• Develop partnerships with businesses, organizations, and institutions that generate revenue while supporting youth employment pathways.
• Assess market opportunities that increase Woodshop production utilization and contribute to long-term Social Enterprise sustainability
• Initiate and support bidding processes for large scale cabinetry and millwork projects
• Coordinate with Woodshop Production Manager to align sales commitments with capacity and training schedules
• Ensure smooth handoff from sales to production
• Develop and support retail and custom order opportunities for cabinetry, millwork, and other Woodshop products.
• Represent YOU Social Enterprise and Woodshop during site visits, facility tours, and community or industry meetings
• Participate in local networking, industry events, and partnership opportunities
• Contribute strategic insight to showroom growth, client engagement strategies, and sales process improvement
• Collaborate with YOU’s Community Engagement team, including participation in the Community Engagement Working Group, and contribute to outreach, marketing, and community engagement initiatives.

Qualifications:

This is not an entry-level or junior sales/business development role.

• 5-10 years of experience in sales, preferably in London and Middlesex County, within the manufacturing, woodworking, cabinetry, millwork, or construction-related industries
• 5+ years of B2B sales or business development experience
• 3+ years of sales experience in kitchen cabinetry, millwork, or CNC-manufactured products would be considered an asset
• Strong network within the London and Middlesex County business, construction, or development sector
• Proven success closing sales from $5,000 - $200,000
• Strong commercial mindset with a results-oriented approach to revenue generation and partnership development
• Strong verbal and written English communication skills
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building and closing skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-value client relationships independently
• Highly self-motivated, organized, results-focused and accountable
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth training development
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle required for sales meetings and visits

HOURS OF WORK

• 40 hours per week, flexible schedule depending on the needs of YOU
• Extended hours and weekend work may be required from time to time
• This is 12 months contract position.

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: YOU is actively building a diverse board and workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, we promote employment equity and encourage candidates from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, women, and other people from communities facing systemic inequities. We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you feel the position would be a stretch.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited is committed to developing inclusive and barrier-free selection and appointment processes as well as work environments, in support of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation 191 11. Should an applicant require accommodation at any point during the recruitment process or as an employee during subsequent employment, they are invited to communicate and discuss their requirements with the YOU contact noted below.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed-term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance