Regional Sales Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Alabama, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Drive sales performance and foster market growth within the designated region.

• Establish robust, sustainable partnerships with stakeholders.

• Formulate strategic plans to achieve revenue objectives and attract new stores.

• Oversee multi-customer portfolios and enhance retail engagement.

• Examine market trends, competitor actions, and growth prospects.

• Create and implement regional sales strategies that align with national goals and the company’s business plan.

• Conduct value-added site visits to a minimum of 20 stores each week.

• Establish and expand independent retail partner accounts, including regional and national multi-unit accounts.

• Ensure representation of all Vital Essentials product categories in retail partner locations.

• Provide education and training to retail partners regarding Vital Essentials products.

• Reconnect with former retail partners to reintroduce Vital Essentials products in retail settings.

• Manage account strategies, sales metrics, targets, corrective action plans, budgets, and trade expenses.

• Promote and oversee national programs such as Astro Loyalty, Astro Offers, and LMS.

• Ensure effective product merchandising and placement.

• Develop strategies for regional distributor partnerships that align with national objectives.

• Analyze distributor data to identify opportunities for new regional key account business.

• Train and present business overviews and opportunities at distributor sales meetings.

• Cultivate relationships with distributor territory managers to position Vital Essentials as the top recommended brand.

• Collaborate with distributor representatives to target accounts and secure orders and placements.

• Participate in distributor events and open houses.

• Forecast inventory levels to maintain stock of distributor warehouse products.

• Work alongside Brand, eCommerce, and other internal teams for comprehensive sales-to-distribution management.

• Coach, lead, and mentor fellow Vital Essentials Regional Sales Managers.

• Support and participate in demos, sampling, and offsite activities.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in sales, marketing, business administration, or a related field (required).

• 3+ years of experience in the independent pet specialty channel, working with distributors to increase rooftops and item penetration, ideally with a rapidly growing pet food brand or distributor (required).

• Experience in managing sales across multiple regions or expanded territories while leading a team of direct sales managers (preferred).

• Demonstrated experience and skills in sales leadership, preferably within the pet food industry.

• Ability to provide solutions tailored to the unique market dynamics of retailers.

• Confidence in interacting with senior leaders on regional chain accounts.

• Basic understanding of retail operations, planogram compliance, customer engagement strategies, and account management.

• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Capacity to work independently and manage time effectively.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Familiarity with retail merchandising software (preferred).

• Strong passion for pets and pet products (highly desirable).

• Willingness to travel at least 50% and up to 90% of the time.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Frequent local and national travel, including overnight travel as required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement.

• Travel support for customers, distributors, trade shows, and business meetings.

• Local and national travel, including overnight travel as dictated by business needs.