Director, National Accounts | Foodservice

Primary Responsibilities

• Own and develop executive-level relationships with national restaurant, coffee, and foodservice chains along with alternate channels.
• Lead account strategies that position the Company as a long-term innovation and supply partner at a scale that elevates customer conversations beyond price and RFPs, leaning toward value, innovation, and partnership.
• Develop multi-year growth strategies across assigned strategic accounts, oftentimes aligned with capacity expansion priorities.
• Execute account growth plans that expand share of menu, place new product capabilities, and unlock new paths for innovation – becoming irreplaceable in the process.
• Translate culinary trends, consumer insights, and operational realities into new, proactive opportunities within existing accounts that lead to scalable, viable bakery solutions.
• Serve as the quarterback of cross-functional teams, supporting major customer and commercialization initiatives from concept through national rollout.
• Take ownership for moving projects forward – removing obstacles, influencing key decision makers, and driving alignment.
• Operate with an ownership mindset – viewing each account as a business that must grow, perform, and continuously improve.
• Grow and maintain a deep understanding of competitive landscape across foodservice bakery.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of National Account sales experience, particularly with a strong track record of leading and building key relationships within the Top 100 foodservice chains.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Hospitality Management, Food Science, or related discipline preferred though candidates with equivalent, relevant business experience will also be considered.
• Experience and a passion for premium, value-added branded food products is strongly preferred.
• Entrepreneurial, innovative DNA with excellent organizational and communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Must be a “risk taker” that is never satisfied with the status quo.
• Deep understanding of foodservice supply chains, distribution networks, commercialization, and menu development strategies.
• Key competencies such as strategic selling, customer curiosity, and analytical skills supported by leveraging consumer insights, AI technologies, and industry trends.
• Demonstrated success with developing effective sales, pricing, and multi-year growth strategies with planning acumen to ensure execution and deliver results.
• Experience in building effective alliances with cross-functional resource departments within the customer organization to drive alignment.
• Ability to thrive in remote work environment, with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage schedule, priorities, and communications across multi-layered organizations.
• Proficiency with delivering effective sales presentations in both corporate and intimate sales settings within the National Account Channel, often within top-to-top customer engagements.
• Travel is expected 30-50% of the time, depending on active customer and Company needs.