The Role
This is a founding role. You'll own the full operation — production, co-packer relationship, festival activations, field sales, and brand building. No department to manage yet. Just you, the founders, and a brand worth building.
What you'll own:
- Co-packer relationship — day-to-day production coordination, inventory, reorders
- Festival calendar — research, applications, vendor logistics, booth execution
- Field sales — pitching and landing Chicago retailers, bars, and venues
- Brand presence — activations, content, and on-the-ground storytelling
- Build the systems and team as the brand grows
Who you are:
- Early CPG or food/bev startup experience — you've been employee #1–5 at something real
- You've run a booth or activation, not just attended one
- Operator first — you can manage a co-packer call in the morning and work a festival booth in the afternoon
- Connected in Chicago's food, music, or events scene
- Ready to bet on something early in exchange for real ownership
Compensation:
- $75,000–$90,000 base salary
- Meaningful equity stake
- This is a ground-floor opportunity — the upside is real