Director of Sales

Summary

Join KIND as the Director of Sales for Kroger and lead the achievement of account-specific goals, including volume objectives, forecast accuracy, and distribution targets. You will develop and deliver customer plans, manage trade funds, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills. You will provide strategic direction to the broker team and manage broker partners. This position demands a minimum of 10 years of CPG sales experience, including 5 years specifically with Kroger. A Bachelor's degree is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required, or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of 10+ years of CPG experience in Sales, Account Management, Marketing, Category Management, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of calling on Kroger in a sales capacity is required
• Expert knowledge of concepts within the sales function and basic knowledge in other areas, such as sales operations and supply chain
• Expert understanding of CPG industry and competitive landscape
• The ability to portray a confident and winning attitude in challenging business interactions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and story-telling ability
• Experience using a Trade Management system to manage planning and customer P&Ls
• Proven experience that reflects being results-oriented
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and influence outcomes with both internal and external contacts
• The ability to apply financial data to make decisions and influence outcome; understanding of financial metrics, including margins, retail math, forecast/projections, velocities, and other analytical skills not mentioned
• The ability to lay out practical and logical assortment plans based on retail space, inventory turn, and sell through
• The ability to tell a holistic story versus taking a transactional approach
• Must be based near Kroger HQ

Responsibilities

• Achievement of sales objectives and specific volume goals through execution of account plans and brand strategies
• Focus on achievement of optimal AMPPS (assortment, merchandising, price, promotion and shelving) by account
• Develop and deliver customer plans to achieve objectives within budget, and short- and long-term solutions through best-practice thought leadership
• Present annual business plans to customers and execute plans
• Manage trade funds to support marketing and promotional plans, determining pricing and distribution, while negotiating with accounts in a direct and indirect sales environment
• Work closely with Category Management, Trade Marketing, and other team members to produce timely business updates for senior leadership
• Collaborate with Customer Service, Demand Planning, and KIND internal teams to manage supply chain both directly and indirectly to deliver goods in timely and efficient manner
• Provide strategic direction and guidance to broker team to support AMPPS planning and customer meetings
• Manage broker partners through meetings (both in-person and virtual), scorecard creation, and clear communication and follow-up to ensure execution excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of trade promotion management and customer and business impacts preferred
• Broker management experience is a plus
• People management experience is a plus
• Prior Trade Marketing and/or Category Management experience a plus

Benefits

• 401(K) or RRSP's with generous company match
• Flexible Paid Time Off. Choose what works best for you, including summer hours. Paid parental leave
• Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you & your family’s needs
• Company paid disability and life insurance to provide income protection
• Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing via programs like Employee Assistance Program, a wellness subsidy, healthy food options and gym facility in HQ
• Casual office dress code– feel free to wear your KIND gear
• Stock up on your favorite KIND bars to share with your family & friends, through a quarterly voucher
• Training & tuition reimbursement program, because continuing to learn matters and we support your development
• A dynamic, ambitious, fun and KIND work environment
• Charitable Donation Matching: KIND matches your charitable donations up to $1000 annually through our donation matching portal