Career Opportunities: National Distributor Sales Manager (8219)

Position Summary:

The purpose of this job is to manage the portfolio of business with key customers, and develop strategies and execution plans to grow the business.  This includes, but not limited to, the management of all programs, promotions, new products, training programs, reporting, and sales plans. This position is also responsible for account development using analytics and fact-based selling approach, coupled with strong analytical and time management skills. Developing relationships at the corporate level, as well as the divison level, will be required to further our strategic goals and in addition, acting as a liason to the FFS team regarding customers initiatives, goals, and execution plans is imperative.  Assisting the field team with all customer initiatives, which can include food shows, promotions, trainings, and business reviews will be essential. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead sales strategy development, planning, execution and administrative activities across key customer HQ functions including: Merchandising, Procurement, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Culinary, QA and Finance/Accounting.  Enlist Ventura Foods cross-functional team support as needed.
• Align key customer, Ventura Foods and broker field organizations on key objectives, performance and communications.  Provide support as need on initiatives such as: food shows, business reviews, product cuttings, promotional activity, broker plan development.
• Partner with key customer contacts to develop operating/communication model including weekly calls/meetings, monthly updates, quarterly business reviews, annual planning process, top-to-top meetings long range planning, large account planning, and industry conferences.
• Work with Ventura Foods functions on customer specific initiatives such as:
  • Commodity Sales Team – commodity sales, oil contracting, risk management
  • Marketing, Insights, Culinary and R&D – distributor and Ventura Foods brand development and strategies, assortment, product commercialization and GS1 compliance.
  • Revenue Management -  trade spend management, KPI reporting, forecasting, RFPs, budgeting and annual operating planning.
  • Supply Chain – fill rates, customer service, logistics.
  • Other functions as needed.
• Active engagement in the Ventura Foods and Field Foodservice team operating/communication model including: one-with-ones, weekly team calls, monthly account/financial reviews, trimester planning meetings, broker management and annual national sales meeting.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from University, including 5+ years experience in foodservice sales, foodservice distribution, and broker management.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, both in Canada or the US required.
• Must have a car and valid driver’s license.
• Results driven with a demonstrated commitment to achieving success.
• Experience with pricing execution, joint business plans and trade programs preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office tools.  
• Must exhibit the following skills with proficiency:  
  • Organizational skills, communication skills (oral and written).
  • Planning and analytical skills.
  • Proficiency in Microstrategies, AS400, CRM tools.
  • Proven leaderships skills.