Director of Sales, Independent Grocery

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Minnesota.

📋 Description

• Take ownership and develop essential growth strategies for Link Snacks' independent grocery sector.

• Foster customer relationships while implementing sales initiatives, programs, and innovative projects.

• Report directly to the VP of Sales, Grocery.

• Oversee a team responsible for managing the grocery/food channel within a specified territory.

• Achieve assigned revenue, trade fund, selling expense, and profit targets.

• Implement the Grocery Channel strategy to meet Annual Operating Plan (AOP) objectives.

• Create and execute a strategic plan spanning 1-3 years aimed at increasing sales, market share, and category leadership.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sales professionals.

• Establish and nurture strong customer relationships.

• Manage trade expenditures utilizing a trade promotion management system to enhance profitability.

• Assess sales progress, strategies, and opportunities; devise corrective measures for any shortfalls.

• Collaborate with internal teams on customer-specific programs and products.

• Leverage category data to evaluate performance and identify trends and opportunities.

• Utilize P&L data to enhance financial outcomes, including managing accounts receivable and deductions.

• Generate precise sales forecasts by customer and product to facilitate production planning.

• Provide senior leadership with insights on sales performance and potential opportunities.

• Monitor and report on the competitive landscape and relevant activities.

• Conduct store audits, establish promotional displays, and participate in trade shows.

• Operate from a dedicated home office while collaborating digitally with remote Sales Managers.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree is required.

• A Master's degree in a business-related discipline is preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sales, including broker management.

• Exceptional leadership abilities.

• Strong multitasking skills.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to leverage data in sales efforts.

• Excellent organizational, presentation, and follow-up capabilities.

• Superior verbal and written communication skills.

• Capacity to work independently and collaborate with both internal and external cross-functional teams.

• Willingness to travel 50-75% of the time.

• Previous experience in HQ Selling, Sales Planning, Sales Strategy, or Broker management is preferred.

• Experience leading a sales team focused on the grocery channel is preferred.

• Prior experience in engaging with large grocery and/or mass chain accounts.

• Ability to regularly lift, carry, and maneuver weights of 25 pounds or more.

• Employment authorization verified through the federal E-Verify program.

🏝️ Benefits

• Annual incentives and program-specific awards.

• Medical benefits.

• Dental benefits.

• Vision benefits.

• Life insurance.

• Disability insurance.

• Participation in a 401(k) plan.

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off.

• A dedicated home office.

• Access to modern digital collaboration tools, including Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom.