Territory Sales Manager

Territory: TN, MS, AL, GA, FL Panhandle (Can be based in Knoxville, TN, Nashville, TN or Atlanta, GA)

About Us

Michelle’s Bakery is a subsidiary of The H. T. Hackney Co., one of the nation's leading grocery wholesale distributors. Building on the success of our established operation in Connelly Springs, North Carolina, Michelle’s Bakery has expanded with the opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Columbia, South Carolina. This new facility significantly enhances our production capabilities, supports the launch of several new product lines, and provides exceptional opportunities for product innovation and development. Michelle’s Bakery has established a strong reputation for premium, made-from-scratch sweet baked goods serving the convenience and grocery retail channels. Our diverse product portfolio includes cookies, brownies, cakes, donuts, no-bake desserts, cake balls, pies, and cupcakes. As we continue to expand our capabilities and product offerings, we are growing our sales team to accelerate business growth and strengthen our presence in existing and emerging markets.

About the Role

Reporting to the Sales Manager, the Territory Sales Consultant is responsible for managing and growing an assigned sales territory by maintaining strong relationships with existing customers while identifying and developing new business opportunities. This role serves customers across multiple channels, including distributors, convenience stores, and grocery retailers. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated sales professional with strong relationship-building skills, a consultative selling approach, and a passion for delivering exceptional customer service. Ideal candidate will reside in Knoxville, Nashville or Atlanta markets.

Responsibilities

• Grow territory sales by identifying and securing new customer accounts.
• Increase product distribution and category penetration within existing accounts.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with current customers to maximize retention and long-term growth.
• Develop new business opportunities across all assigned market channels.
• Achieve established sales goals and performance objectives.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of Michelle's Bakery products, programs, and promotions.
• Stay informed on new product launches and industry trends to provide valuable recommendations to customers.
• Train and educate customers on product features, merchandising strategies, and promotional opportunities.
• Recommend product assortments and merchandising solutions designed to maximize sales and profitability.
• Execute and maintain an efficient territory routing plan to maximize customer coverage and productivity.
• Analyze territory performance to identify strengths, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Maintain an organized prospect pipeline and customer call database.
• Serve as a trusted business partner by proactively identifying customer needs and providing effective solutions.
• Perform in-store merchandising, product placement, shelf maintenance, and point-of-sale material updates as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, sales activities, and market intelligence.
• Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, integrity, and strong time management skills.

Qualifications

Preferred Education: Associate degree or Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.

Experience:

• One to five years of sales experience required.
• Previous experience in wholesale food, grocery, convenience store, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) sales is strongly preferred.
• Proven success in a customer service or sales-focused environment.
• Experience developing new business and managing customer relationships is highly desirable.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems is a plus.
• Strong presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to listen effectively, think strategically, and respond quickly to customer needs.

Physical Requirements

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Successful completion of a background check and drug screening.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and drive for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Company Vehicle / Cell Phone / Tablet (or laptop) / Gas Card
• Paid Time Off
• Life and disability insurance
• 401k retirement plan with employer matching contributions