National Sales Manager

Ampersand Brands is a growing portfolio of beloved confectionery brands, including Hammond’s Candies, the iconic hand‑crafted candy maker, and Lolli & Pops, a premium retail and gifting brand with a national presence. The company is backed by strong growth ambitions, combining innovation, brand storytelling, and operational excellence to expand its reach and solidify its position as a leading player in the U.S. confections industry.

Ampersand Brands is seeking a high‑performing National Sales Manager to drive distribution expansion across Mass, Drug, Grocery, and Specialty channels for Hammonds and Lolli & Pops.

This role is ideal for a strong operator who has successfully managed national or regional accounts and is ready to take on broader channel ownership within a growing confectionery platform.

• Drive new distribution across Mass and Drug retail accounts
• Manage and grow Tier 3–4 accounts, including specialty, gifting, hotels, and regional retailers
• Identify white space opportunities and develop actionable penetration strategies
• Execute annual sales plans aligned with revenue and margin targets
• Build retailer‑specific pitch decks and assortment recommendations
• Lead HQ and regional buyer calls
• Manage day‑to‑day broker relationships to ensure alignment and follow‑through
• Conduct regular business reviews with brokers and distributor partners
• Support distributor relationships, including Vistar, Redstone, and Nassau
• Monitor trade spend and promotional effectiveness
• Utilize SPINS, IRI, Circana, and POS data to support retailer pitches
• Analyze velocity, assortment gaps, and competitive landscape
• Build fact‑based selling stories to secure incremental shelf space

• Represent the brands at 10–15 trade shows annually
• Build relationships across confectionery and specialty retail networks
• Travel regularly for retailer meetings and market visits

• 5–8+ years CPG sales experience
• Candy or premium snack experience preferred
• Experience calling on Grocery, Specialty, Mass, or Drug accounts
• Exposure to HQ‑level retailer meetings
• Strong analytical and presentation skills
• Highly organized and comfortable managing multiple accounts simultaneously

• The chance to lead not one, but two iconic brands — with very different but equally lovable personalities.
• A small, scrappy team that punches above its weight.
• A culture rooted in thoughtfulness, creativity, and joy.

Denver, CO preferred | Remote considered
Travel: ~50%

The pay range for this role is:

75, USD per year (Corporate)