Social Enterprise Director

About Bright Endeavors:

Bright Endeavors is a social enterprise of the Chicago nonprofit New Moms. Bright Endeavors is where New Moms’ mission truly shines. Behind the company’s popular collection of artisanal scented candles are motivated moms in our paid job training program, learning comprehensive skills, gaining confidence, and forging their career paths. 100% of Bright Endeavors proceeds go to New Moms nonprofit programs providing housing, job training, academic coaching, and family support for young moms facing barriers caused by systemic poverty.

Our Commitment to Equity:

New Moms prioritizes racial equity as a strategic and organizational imperative. Strong candidates will be committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values into their work goals and will be evaluated on their impact.

About the Job:

The Social Enterprise (SE) Director provides leadership and direction in the successful operation of a robust New Moms social enterprise business, Bright Endeavors (BE). At BE we manufacture soy candles, while providing job training. The SE Director must balance business development and revenue goals with the equally important mission of providing job training and paid employment to young moms (ages 18-24). In partnership with the Senior Director of Workforce Development, the SE Director will ensure our social enterprise goals and operations are aligned with our job training goals. This position will lead the strategic vision to achieve or exceed both annual and multi-year revenue goals with primary duties including: the oversight of a strategic sales strategy specifically wholesale and corporate leads, R&D for new product lines, brand clarity in new and existing markets, management of key performance indicators for both sales and staff, and collaborative leadership at every level of the organization. This position will champion all New Moms values including our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, in both strategic planning and performance. This position is located at Bright Endeavors in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. Starting Salary Range: $84,000 - $91,000 DOQ

Key Job Responsibilities: 

Strategic Business Development / Revenue Growth

• Drive annual and multi-year revenue goals with integrated strategies for marketing, sales, and production 
• Use data driven analysis for COGS, sales projections, and profit margins, to grow business in strongest markets 
• Manage “best practice” business standards including the development of solid budget forecasts, monthly accounting
•  Including sales targets and margins, Inventory controls, production, delivery, and customer satisfaction
• Present high-level monthly sales targets, margins, key accounts and prospects to senior leadership and stakeholders as needed 

Product Research and Development

• Provide leadership in continuous improvement process for existing products
• Oversee new product research, viability, and development
• Determine if current and projected COGS fits appropriately with margin/pricing models

Brand Development

• Be a brand ambassador, advancing our position in markets, and in partnerships, particularly wholesale and corporate markets
• Continuously assess market viability of current and potential product lines
• Connect with wholesale market, private label prospects, social enterprise networks, policy initiatives, and workforce development alliances to gain best practice knowledge and share Bright Endeavors’ mission with others

Operations – Production and Performance

• Ensure quality control of products from the production floor to the customer
• Provide leadership, strategic vision, and daily oversight to manufacturing logistics and sales of products
• Identify and implement project management tools best suited for a state-of-the art manufacturing facility, ensuring production improvements and cost efficiencies
• Collaborate closely with Workforce Development team to establish consistent workflow, identify production gaps, and training needs for participants
• Fully integrate and optimize Salesforce database
• Identify and implement cost-cutting and waste management measures where appropriate

Leadership and Collaboration

• Responsible for the hiring, training and supervision of a diverse team
• Embrace agency-wide equity and inclusion practices, by creating intentional succession plans for staff and participants, and by pursuing diverse partnerships where possible 
• Collaborate with consultants to advance business goals
• Provides coverage for staff who are absent or assigns to others when necessary
• Serve on internal and external committees to better inform our work and growth
• Upholds the New Moms model, which is grounded in racial equity
• Regularly participates in agency and program staff meetings, as well as professional group seminars or conferences to enhance professional knowledge and job skills
• Committed to developing further as a leader by participating in the New Moms professional development model, demonstrating achievement in competencies defined by the agency

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; PMP desired; MBA preferred

Experience:

• More than five (5) years of business/social enterprise, manufacturing leadership experience
• Three to five years financial experience in small to mid-size business
• More than five (5) years of experience supervising
• Experience with QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, and Salesforce a plus

Skills/Traits:

• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to represent agency to outside donors, networks and organizations

Other requirements:

• Valid driver’s license, with safe driving record and valid insurance; Daily access to a reliable car required
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, depending on the needs of organization

New Moms’ Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; matching on retirement savings up to 3%; 15 paid holidays; and generous paid time off. We also offer several unique benefits to New Moms: discounts on Bright Endeavors products, free optional spiritual direction services, and half days on Fridays in the summer. Our Flexible Work Options policy allows for staff to work some hours remotely once training is complete. For licensed employees, you will receive over 20 free CEU's during onboarding and an additional 1.5 free CEU's/month throughout employment. We promote professional development and provide time for you to attend other external trainings opportunities as well. New Moms is a qualifying employer for student loan forgiveness and your time employed counts toward eligibility.