National Sales Manager, K-12

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

📋 Description

• Develop and implement the national K-12 sales strategy for Takis Brands and the associated AFH portfolio offerings.

• Set annual growth targets, customer objectives, and commercialization strategies.

• Identify key school districts, cooperatives, state bids, and distributor partners.

• Create long-term business strategies for sustainable growth in the K-12 sector.

• Achieve annual sales, volume, profit, and distribution objectives.

• Cultivate relationships with school nutrition directors, state associations, school districts, educational cooperatives, foodservice management companies, purchasing groups, and distribution partners.

• Enhance penetration within strategic school districts and statewide opportunities.

• Develop customer-specific activation plans to drive school demand and trial.

• Manage K-12 bid submissions, contracts, and cooperative purchasing programs.

• Create bid calendars and ensure adherence to district, state, and regional requirements.

• Collaborate with brokers and distributors to optimize awarded business.

• Monitor award performance and identify renewal opportunities.

• Lead K-12 broker strategies and ensure accountability.

• Develop growth plans for distributors and execution scorecards.

• Educate broker organizations on the product portfolio, positioning, selling tools, and K-12 market dynamics.

• Work alongside Marketing, R&D, and Product teams to identify and launch school-compliant products.

• Support Smart Snack compliance and the commercialization of new products.

• Convert customer insights into opportunities for product innovation.

• Assist with launch plans, student testing initiatives, and cafeteria activation strategies.

• Participate in national and state SNA events, regional school foodservice shows, K-12 buying group conferences, and distributor trade shows.

• Develop promotional initiatives, merchandising tools, and school activation strategies.

• Support customer events, sampling initiatives, and cafeteria marketing campaigns.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain, RGM, Marketing, Finance, Customer Service, and Operations.

• Align product availability with bid awards and customer demand.

• Establish forecasting and annual business planning processes.

• Assist with pricing strategy, profitability analysis, and portfolio optimization.

• Track KPIs such as sales growth, district wins, bid performance, distributor growth, placement volume, customer retention, product commercialization, trade show ROI, broker performance, forecast accuracy, and profitability.

• Attend customer meetings, distributor reviews, state SNA meetings, and national trade shows.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field.

• Over 7 years of experience in foodservice sales.

• At least 5 years of direct experience in K-12 foodservice.

• Demonstrated experience managing school district, cooperative, or bid-based businesses.

• Experience in managing broker organizations and distributor relationships.

• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, CRM systems (Salesforce), and business analytics.

• Willingness to travel across the United States as necessary.

• Up to 50% travel required.

• Preferred: Established relationships with major school districts and K-12 distributors.

• Preferred: Experience in snack foods or branded consumer products.

• Preferred: Familiarity with Smart Snack standards and school nutrition regulations.

• Preferred: Experience in launching new products within the K-12 channel.

• Preferred: Experience in national account management.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity policy.

• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

• Individuals with disabilities, veterans, and women are encouraged and supported.