Brand Lead

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