Director of Sales

Summary

Join Nature's Way as the Director of Sales - Grocery and Distributor Channel and lead the development and execution of sales strategies for grocery and distributor accounts. You will build strong customer relationships, manage budgets, and develop your sales team to achieve revenue growth and brand-building objectives. This role requires strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, along with extensive experience in the grocery and distributor channel. The position offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401k matching, and various other wellness and professional development opportunities. While the location is flexible, priority will be given to candidates in the Minneapolis or Cincinnati areas. Up to 50% travel is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years direct Grocery and/or Distributor account management experience
• 3+ years of people management experience
• CPG selling/buying experience
• Broker experience

Responsibilities

• Develop the Company’s external Grocery and Distributor Channel vision and strategy to support both strategic and financial goals
• Lead the external business, including day-to-day operations, top line sales goals, trade marketing budgets, key performance metrics, expense targets and customer service goals. Leadership and Development of sales personnel who sell to these accounts
• Develop and manage business revenue and annual budget.  Work closely with senior sales and marketing leaders to develop annual volume targets and associated profitability metrics
• Work in collaboration with Trade Marketing to: Translate brand objectives into customer revenue and trade marketing plans
• Define product assortment, placement and pricing strategies
• Develop trade marketing plans that ensure sales growth and profitable returns
• Maintain promotional calendars across multiple customers to ensure that customer promotion plans are aligned with company strategies
• Develop the short-term and long-term sales forecasts and measure results vs. forecast. Make process adjustments to continually improve results and reduce inventory requirements
• Track sales metrics, business drivers and costs to make appropriate business decisions to meet strategic financial targets
• Develop strong relationships with key customer personnel – across retailer base
• Leverage and enhance our Broker Partnership to deliver objectives

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA
• Strong grocery and distributor experience, including with accounts such as Kroger, Meijer, HEB, Publix, HyVee, UNFI, Kehe, and others
• Extensive direct Account Management experience
• Strong experience managing P&L, trade management, and forecasting
• Strategic thought leadership experience, managing teams, and business units (channels)
• Experience managing accounts through broker partners and 3rd party support
• Trade and Category management & merchandising experience
• Strong analytical skills, including demonstrated experience interpreting data and drawing conclusions and proactively identifying areas for improvement
• Strong communication skills and cross-functional collaboration skills to partner with other internal departments and external customers
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively at both the strategic and tactical execution levels
• Ability to quickly adapt into a new organization and make quick positive impacts
• Thorough knowledge and use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as experience in working with category data through syndicated data sources such as IRI, AC Nielsen or SPINS
• Executive presence and strong presentation skills to interact with senior level management

Benefits

• Medical Option to select either a PPO plan or one of 2 high – deductible medical plans that includes a company contribution to your personal health savings bank account
• Dental Delta Dental PPO & an option to select an enhanced dental plan
• Vision Routine preventative coverage under medical plan and an option to elect additional voluntary coverage
• All employees receive 11 holidays off per year, as well as paid time off that starts at a minimum of two weeks per year
• 401K Plan Company match of up to 4% as long as employees contribute a minimum of 6% to the account. An additional profit-sharing contribution is also made to employee accounts if the company meets its annual targets
• Company provided short-term & long-term disability
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Voluntary critical illness & accident coverage
• New parent phase-in program & paternity leave
• Educational assistance reimbursement
• Product discounts & a wellness program