National Sales Manager

Cuisine Solutions - Sterling, VA

Full-time

Sterling, VA

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The National Sales Manager at Cuisine Solutions is a pivotal role responsible for the implementation and execution of sales programs targeting National Accounts, particularly focusing on the largest grocery and big box retailers in the U.S. This position requires building and leveraging strong relationships with customers, vendors, and broker partners to drive sales growth and enhance partnerships. The National Sales Manager will work closely with key decision-makers to develop strategic plans that align with both brand and customer objectives, ensuring the achievement of business goals. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and have 5-10+ years of sales experience specifically within the National Grocery or Big Box retail sectors. A proven track record of delivering on key performance indicators (KPIs) and achieving top and bottom-line business results is essential. The role demands multi-category experience, ideally including meats, prepared meals, and fresh food items. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills are crucial, along with excellent written and verbal communication abilities to effectively articulate objectives to broker partners and present to potential customers. In this fast-paced environment, the National Sales Manager must be a motivated self-starter with the ability to adapt to quickly changing business needs and customer demands. The role involves a significant amount of travel, estimated at 25-50%, to meet with clients and attend relevant trade shows. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for customer service and a commitment to achieving overall success for the company and its partners.

Responsibilities

• Achieve and deliver annual plans for National Grocery and big box retailers that reflect brand and customer strategies and support business goals.
• Lead or participate in the development of the P+L, trade promotion, and merchandising strategies.
• Build and maintain consultative business relationships with key decision makers (KDMs) at all customers.
• Partner with KDMs to develop and execute a detailed action plan to achieve sales goals.
• Establish and manage customer relationships that strengthen and build on the success of Cuisine Solutions' brands.
• Cultivate a network of influential contacts at all levels of customer organizations.
• Tailor selling and consultative strategies to specific customer objectives to achieve best-in-class merchandising locations, display, and promotional support.
• Manage Brokers and KPI development and lead quarterly meetings ensuring compliance.
• Translate strategy into clear and locally executable plans and focus resources accordingly within respective accounts.
• Communicate out of stocks or other in-store issues with appropriate contacts at brokers or distributors.
• Demonstrate excellent demand planning and forecasting skills.
• Leverage SPINS, IRI or Nielsen data in retailer presentations and ongoing forecasting to identify key opportunities, gaps, and competitive insights.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.
• 5-10+ years of sales experience in National Grocery or Big Box retail.
• Proven delivery on KPIs with top and bottom-line business results.
• Multi-category experience, ideally including meats, prepared meals, and fresh food items.
• Strong creative, analytic, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Outstanding presentation skills; ability to develop and deliver presentations.
• Strong ability to lead/manage communication and demonstrate a hunger for success.
• Strategic and consultative with advanced interpersonal and project management skills.
• Motivated self-starter able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with shopper marketing fundamentals and marketing acumen.
• Existing relationships with key retailers such as Kroger, Albertson's, Publix, Wal-Mart, and Target.