Director Sales -ADUSA

About the Role

Leads field execution of the Consumer Products Business Unit (BU) strategic and operating plan, ensuring alignment and strong partnerships with Sales leadership (VP/SVP) and cross-functional teams (Marketing, Finance, Trade, Omni-Channel, Demand Planning, Category Management, Operations). Oversees and develops a sales team through training, coaching, and succession planning. Manages ADUSA retailers (Stop & Shop, Giant Foods, The Giant Company, Hannaford, Food Lion) and Northeast regional grocery accounts, driving total sales objectives and profitability. Serves on the CP Sales Leadership Team and is based in the East Coast customer geography (preferred Boston-Charlotte, near a major airport).

Responsibilities

• Execution of the operating plan and three-year strategic plan for Sales (Direct and Brokers), Category Management, Trade Planning, and Demand Planning that links to corporate and division objectives and strategies.
• Partners with VP-Sales to develop channel penetration strategies and ensure execution of plans.
• Develops strategic customer relationships through Joint Business Planning along with elevating connectivity with Sr. Leaders through the development of Top-to-Top meetings.
• Participates and represents Sargento at key multi-vendor industry events such as CFIC, NFRA, and key regional customer events.
• Establishes both geographic market and key customer strategies with the support of the broader team and in collaboration with counterparts.
• Understands and leverages Price/Commodity Management to execute strategic initiatives to meet the objectives of the organization’s overall business plans.
• Responsible for the establishment and ultimate achievement of annual, quarterly, and monthly customer sales plans and profitability in coordination with the CPD operating plan.
• Provides seamless linkage of the division’s Key Initiatives and Action Plans to all other functional departments (Marketing, Trade, Finance, Category Management, OMNI-Channel, Demand Planning, and Operations).
• Executes recommended optimal sales team and sales agency structures to meet the changing skill set requirements and business demands of the division.
• Actively supports needs of customers outside immediate area of responsibility.
• Supports the successful management of the needs of the division’s customers to meet the objectives of the company’s overall business plans and strategies.
• Supports assigning and managing sales agency representation, including the establishment and tracking of annual objectives and performance standards.
• Drives talent development and cross-business unit (BU) collaboration within the total Sargento Sales organization to build capability, share best practices, and strengthen overall sales performance.
• Develops and maintains effective advanced internal and external cross-functional relationships necessary to achieve business objectives in a manner consistent with Sargento’s culture.
• Fosters a collaborative and respectful work environment that includes constructive debate.
• Available for overnight travel ~30-40%, across customer area of responsibilities including Sargento HQ travel.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages 3 direct reports which include 2 Sales roles and 1 Category Insights Manager role, along with any future subordinates.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of any future direct teams.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university required.
• Master’s degree/MBA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years related consumer product sales experience preferred.
• National headquarter sales & Broker management experience required.
• Experience calling on ADUSA retailers strongly preferred.
• Previous supervisory experience required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Advanced skills with syndicated data analysis, terminology, and reports.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical including Fertility and Adoption benefits, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Remote ½ day Fridays.
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center.
• Employer 401K contribution in the top 1% of the nation.
• Relocation Assistance.
• Tuition Assistance.
• Access to Employee Store.

About Us

With over 2,400+ employees and net sales of nearly $1.8 billion, Sargento is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years. We created the world’s first successful pre-packaged sliced and shredded natural cheeses. Sargento is based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, where we manufacture and market shredded, sliced, and snack natural cheese products, as well as ingredients and sauces. Sargento is known for the exceptional quality of our products and for product design, packaging, and merchandising innovations that have transformed our industry.