National Category Sales Manager - Retail Sales - MegaMex Corporate Office (Orange, CA)

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, Skippy®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, recognized for corporate responsibility, community service, and as one of America’s most responsible companies.

About the role

This position will report to the Director – Category Sales – MegaMex and will be accountable for leading the commercial strategy and business performance of the assigned brand portfolios, delivering sustainable sales growth, profitability, and market share gains through strategic planning, cross-functional leadership, and customer-focused execution. The role is also responsible for advancing Herdez, one of MegaMex’s three Mega Brands, through winning customer strategies, profitable growth, and market expansion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic business plan to deliver sales, profitability, market share, and growth objectives across the assigned sauces portfolio.
• Serve as the business leader and strategic connector between Marketing, Sales, Revenue Growth Management, Supply Chain, Finance, and Field Sales Strategy to accelerate category and brand growth.
• Own and champion the national strategy, performance, and long-term growth agenda for the assigned sauces categories and brands.
• Lead the strategic planning process by partnering with marketing to develop and execute brand strategies that deliver sustainable top-line growth, market share gains, and profitability objectives.
• Leverage expertise in consumer trends, category dynamics, customer and shopper insights, and competitive intelligence to influence business decisions.
• Develop and manage annual operating/sales plans (AOP), volume targets, and trade investment strategies, ensuring alignment across customers, channels, and organizational growth priorities while maximizing return on investment.
• Serve as the primary commercial leader and connector between the Retail Sales organization and MegaMex cross-functional partners, driving alignment among Retail Leadership, Field Sales, Revenue Growth Management, Brand Analytics, Marketing, and Sales Strategy teams.
• Partner closely with Sales leadership and customer teams to translate brand strategies into winning customer plans, support high-impact customer negotiations, and unlock growth opportunities across key retail accounts.
• Optimize trade investment and resource allocation to drive profitable growth, improve investment effectiveness, and achieve financial and brand performance objectives.
• Lead forecasting and business planning activities for volume, net sales, trade spend, and gross margin across the assigned portfolio.
• Actively influence the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process by identifying risks, opportunities, and actions necessary to deliver business commitments and 18-month volume projections.
• Create and deploy insight-driven, field-ready selling solutions that translate category, shopper, and consumer insights into actionable growth strategies.
• Equip field teams with compelling category visions, selling stories, and growth platforms that strengthen customer partnerships and accelerate category leadership.
• Monitor business performance and proactively identify opportunities and risks, recommending strategic actions that improve execution, strengthen customer engagement, and deliver against annual operating objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of Sales/Marketing/Sales Strategy experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Pattern of initiative and ability to work independently.
• Highly developed interpersonal and persuasive skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer and must not require sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• National Category Sales Manager or similar experience.
• Sales experience across multiple sales channels.
• 5+ years of Sales/Marketing/Sales Strategy experience.

Pay

The base hiring pay range for this role is between $111,550 – $156,175 per year, depending on job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Discretionary annual merit increases.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Stock purchase plan.
• Paid time off.
• Free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees.

Schedule

Travel required approximately 10% of the time.

Location: MegaMex Corporate Office, Orange, CA. A comprehensive relocation package to the Orange, CA area may be offered if required.