VP of Sales – Foodservice

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

📋 Description

• Formulate and implement annual and multi-year sales strategies for the foodservice sector.

• Achieve targets for revenue, contribution margin, market share, profit, and annual plan goals.

• Guide, mentor, and enhance the skills of seven to eight regional managers and directors.

• Establish customer, regional, portfolio, and broker plans with clear objectives and performance assessments.

• Oversee pricing, trade investments, customer profitability, forecasts, and the execution of operating plans in collaboration with Finance.

• Manage the strategic relationship with Sysco and spearhead engagement with senior-level customers.

• Foster connections with distributors, re-distributors, operators, GPOs, cash & carry clients, and convenience store customers.

• Direct broker strategies, including selection, performance evaluation, training, incentives, and accountability measures.

• Enhance portfolio visibility, distribution, item placement, product assortment quality, and customer engagement.

• Oversee sales aspects of new product rollouts, portfolio updates, private label initiatives, and customer innovation projects.

• Collaborate with teams in Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Customer Service, Finance, Marketing, Culinary & Innovation, and PMO.

• Address customer service, quality, pricing, supply, and commercialization challenges.

• Represent the foodservice sector in discussions with senior leadership, planning sessions, customer meetings, trade shows, and industry events.

• Ensure the accurate utilization of CRM, sales reporting, customer plans, forecasts, demand plans, and commercial systems.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in business, marketing, food science, hospitality, or a related discipline.

• Over 12 years of progressive leadership experience in sales and commercial roles within foodservice, CPG, food manufacturing, or a related field.

• Proven track record in leading a distributed sales organization across various regions, channels, and customer segments.

• In-depth knowledge of foodservice route-to-market dynamics, including broadline distribution, re-distribution, GPOs, brokers, commercial operators, non-commercial accounts, cash & carry, and convenience store channels.

• Demonstrated success in managing strategic relationships with distributors and operators, preferably including Sysco or similar national broadline clients.

• Experience in developing and implementing joint business plans, customer growth strategies, broker initiatives, and multi-year commercial strategies.

• Strong financial literacy and business acumen, encompassing pricing, trade investments, margin management, forecasting, and customer profitability.

• Proven ability to enhance portfolio presence through distribution expansion, assortment growth, new product placements, private label programs, and customer-driven innovations.

• Excellent executive presence, negotiation capabilities, presentation skills, and both written and verbal communication proficiency.

• Experience utilizing CRM and commercial analytics to track performance and inform decision-making.

• Willingness and capacity for frequent travel, including overnight trips.

• An advanced degree is advantageous.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and incentive structure.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

• Supportive work environment with a focus on teamwork and collaboration.