Sales Manager

Ritter Sport is seeking a results‑driven Sales Manager – Travel Retail & Special Markets to lead strategic growth initiatives, expand market share, and strengthen customer partnerships for one of the world's most recognized premium chocolate brands. Reporting to the VP of Sales.

Ritter Sport is a globally recognized, family‑owned German chocolate company known for its iconic square chocolate bars, commitment to quality, and leadership in sustainable cocoa sourcing. Operating in over 100 countries, the company combines more than a century of tradition with innovation and responsible business practices.

Location: Near the following U.S. airports:
Chicago, New York LGA or JFK, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington (DC), Atlanta, Orlando or Miami.

Travel: Up to 50%.

The Senior Sales Manager – Travel Retail & Special Markets is responsible for developing and growing Ritter Sport’s business across key alternative retail channels, including Duty Free & Travel Retail (all channels including Cruise Lines, Ship Chandler, Border Shops), Hospitality, Military, and College Bookstores. The role focuses on delivering sustainable sales growth by expanding distribution, strengthening merchandising execution, and managing strategic customer relationships.

The position collaborates cross‑functionally with marketing, supply chain, brokers, and retail execution teams to drive strong commercial results while ensuring Ritter Sport’s premium brand presence across these unique retail environments.

• Sell and develop Ritter Sport’s long‑term, sustainable business with Duty Free & Travel Retail (all channels including Cruise Lines, Ship Chandler, Border Shops), Hospitality, Military, and College Bookstore retailers.
• Execute and deliver results across Ritter Sport’s annual objectives related to distribution, shelving, merchandising, and pricing across assigned customers, including applicable distributor partners.
• Effectively manage trade investment and gross‑to‑net activities with assigned customers including planning, coordinating, and managing trade promotions, seasonal programs, and conducting post‑event performance analysis.
• Deliver desired sales results (gross and net sales) within assigned area of responsibility.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners including marketing and supply chain to support the development and commercialization of SKUs required for success in Travel Retail and Duty Free channels.
• Maintain close contact with the Ritter Sport Travel Retail Team in Waldenbuch, Germany (Ritter Sport HQ); specifically with the Key Account Manager for Avolta (includes Hudson News).
• Support daily account management activities for assigned retailers and distributor partners.
• Partner with broker organizations and retail execution teams to ensure optimal shelf presence, strong merchandising standards, and successful new item launches.
• Develop sales presentations, promotional calendars, and customer‑facing materials for retailer meetings and line reviews.
• Track and report on sales performance, inventory levels, and shipment trends while identifying risks and opportunities for growth.
• Maintain accurate customer records, promotional plans, and internal sales trackers to ensure high data integrity.
• Support industry trade shows, customer events, and in‑store audits to strengthen customer relationships and improve retail execution.

• Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of sales experience within the Retail Consumer Packaged Goods industry.
• Confectionery experience preferred, as well as experience within Travel Retail, Duty Free, or Military channels.
• Strong knowledge of syndicated data platforms including Circana (IRI), NielsenIQ, and/or SPINS, with experience analyzing and applying data insights to drive category growth.
• Demonstrated experience identifying category opportunities with retailers, including assortment optimization, distribution expansion, pricing strategy, and merchandising improvements.
• Experience with customer forecasting and demand planning analytics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and…