Vice President of Sales and Operations

$150,000 - $150,000/Yr

Unclassified - St. Louis, MO

Full-time - Senior

St. Louis, MO

About the position

KATIE'S is seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President of Sales and Operations to lead and grow our Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) division. This role is critical in driving the strategic direction and operational excellence required to scale our CPG products nationally. The VP will work closely with KATIE'S executive team and founder Katie Lee and lead our established sales and operations team, providing strategy and hands-on support to achieve ambitious growth targets. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in sales and operations management within the CPG or food industry, with a proven track record of driving growth and operational excellence. In this position, the Vice President will develop and execute the overall strategy for sales and operations within the CPG division, ensuring alignment with the company's growth objectives. This includes collaborating with the executive team to set and achieve short-term and long-term sales targets and operational goals. The VP will lead the sales team in developing and executing strategies to expand distribution channels, increase market penetration, and drive revenue growth. Additionally, the role involves cultivating and managing relationships with key retail partners, distributors, and stakeholders, as well as managing annual sales events and the retail sales calendar. The Vice President will also oversee all aspects of operations, including production, supply chain, inventory management, and logistics to ensure efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Implementing process improvements and best practices to optimize production while maintaining product quality is essential. The VP will ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards, including food safety and quality assurance. Team leadership and development are crucial components of this role. The VP will provide leadership and mentorship to the current sales and operations team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Identifying and addressing any skill gaps within the team, providing training and development opportunities as needed, will be part of the responsibilities. Financial oversight is another key aspect, as the VP will manage the P&L for the CPG division, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Close collaboration with the finance team to monitor performance against financial goals and make data-driven decisions is expected. The role also requires cross-functional collaboration with marketing, product development, and R&D teams to align sales and operations efforts with new product launches and promotional activities. The VP must ensure seamless communication and collaboration across all departments to support the overall success of the CPG division. Finally, the Vice President should be willing and able to dive into the details and handle day-to-day challenges as they arise, demonstrating a hands-on approach to leadership. Supporting the team in executing key initiatives, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring smooth operations during periods of rapid growth or change is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall strategy for sales and operations within the CPG division.
• Collaborate with the executive team to set and achieve short-term and long-term sales targets and operational goals.
• Lead the sales team in developing and executing strategies to expand distribution channels, increase market penetration, and drive revenue growth.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with key retail partners, distributors, and stakeholders.
• Manage annual sales events and retail sales calendar.
• Analyze market trends and consumer insights to inform sales strategies and identify new opportunities for growth.
• Oversee all aspects of operations, including production, supply chain, inventory management, and logistics.
• Implement process improvements and best practices to optimize production and reduce costs while maintaining product quality.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards, including food safety and quality assurance.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to current sales and operations team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and address any skill gaps within the team, providing training and development opportunities as needed.
• Manage the P&L for the CPG division, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Work closely with the finance team to monitor performance against financial goals and make data-driven decisions.
• Partner with the marketing, product development, and R&D teams to align sales and operations efforts with new product launches and promotional activities.
• Ensure seamless communication and collaboration across all departments to support the overall success of the CPG division.
• Support the team in executing key initiatives, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring smooth operations during periods of rapid growth or change.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in sales and operations management within the CPG or food industry.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Deep understanding of the CPG market, including distribution channels, retail relationships, and supply chain management.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to execute plans effectively.
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets, P&L, and financial performance metrics.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, creative, entrepreneurial environment and adapt to changing business needs.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships both internally and externally.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in scaling a CPG business from regional to national distribution.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality assurance practices.
• Familiarity with emerging trends in the food industry, including sustainability, consumer preferences, and tech innovation.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and ERP systems, and industry platforms e.g. RangeMe.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and paid time off.
• Opportunity to be a key leader in a rapidly growing company with a strong mission and vision.
• Flexible working environment with potential for remote work.