Area Sales & Distribution Manager - East Bay, CA

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors, and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation, and the power of food to bring people together.

About the role

We’re seeking an Area Sales & Distribution Manager to lead a high-performing sales and distribution team serving the Hayward, Oakland, Alameda, East Bay and the surrounding Northern CA markets. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys being in the field, and is driven to deliver results through strong people leadership, operational excellence, and customer-focused execution.

Responsibilities

• Manages staff to achieve sales and distribution goals & objectives, as well as support / operate within Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines and implementation of safety practices.
• Manages staff to ensure the maximization of sales and provide support of store level sales opportunities through in-store promotions and customer service.
• Manages staff to ensure the maximization of delivery truck utilization.
• Manages the preparation of distribution, truck maintenance, DOT compliance, dynamic routing, and pre-trip/post-trip execution.
• Manages the recruitment, hiring, training, and development of all team members.
• Prepares and presents financial and budget reports to management on status and key performance indicators.
• Monitors ongoing team members performance, communicate results, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Analyze all sales & distribution data and reports to make relevant business decisions.
• Manages customer relationships through continuous communications between sales, merchandising and operations to ensure maximum efficiencies and customer service.
• Ensures compliance and implementation of all company safety and DOT policies and procedures.
• Responsible to conduct yourself and ensure your team members conduct themselves in a manner consistent with company mission, values, code of ethics, policies and other standards of conduct.
• Requires being in the field working with your team at least 3 days a week.
• Territory may require some overnight travel.

Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience in a role involving sales, sales operations, or route delivery/distribution.
• Must meet the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) driver eligibility medical certification requirements and must possess a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) from state of residence in order to operate a Class B commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR of 26001 lbs. or greater.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and sales and/or Direct Store Delivery (DSD) experience in the food industry.

Skills

• Understanding of financial/business requirements.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience presenting information in group settings to a wide variety of audiences.
• Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $68,000 - $110,000 annually with eligibility for a 20% annual incentive bonus, which is based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Benefits

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.