Retail Sales Manager – Cheese & Specialty Dairy

Our Client, an industry-leading producer of premium artisanal cheeses, is seeking a results-oriented Retail Sales Manager to lead data-driven growth initiatives within the U.S. retail landscape. The ideal candidate is passionate about specialty food, highly analytical, and thrives in an entrepreneurial environment where they can directly influence brand positioning and retail performance.

Reporting to the VP of Sales, this role focuses exclusively on the retail segment, supporting strategic expansion across natural, specialty, and conventional grocery channels. This is an exciting opportunity for a rising sales professional who combines commercial drive with strong analytical insight and a deep appreciation for high-quality dairy products.

• Manage and grow existing retail accounts while identifying and securing new retail customers in key regions.
• Support the rollout of new products and seasonal promotions through effective in-store activation and presentation.
• Serve as the main point of contact for retail buyers and category managers, ensuring excellent service and partnership development.

• Develop and maintain detailed sales reporting, including monthly performance dashboards, margin analysis, and account-level trends.
• Generate sell-through projections, promotional ROI summaries, and support demand planning for product availability.
• Provide actionable insights from syndicated data (e.g., SPINS, Nielsen) and customer POS to inform retail strategy.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Leadership to define the brand’s unique value proposition in the retail cheese category.
• Propose and pilot new merchandising strategies to gain more shelf space, enhance visibility, and drive velocity.
• Identify white space opportunities and partner with the internal team to optimize packaging, pricing, and placement

• Work closely with logistics and operations to ensure timely order fulfillment and resolve any retailer supply issues.
• Assist in the planning and execution of trade shows and retailer-specific marketing initiatives.

• 3+ years of experience in retail sales or category management, ideally in cheese, dairy, or premium CPG food products.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to build sales projections, interpret market data, and create compelling reports.
• Experience working with IRI/Nielsen/SPINS data or similar retail tracking platforms.
• Familiarity with Direct Store Delivery (DSD) or managing distributor relationships, especially in the natural and specialty retail landscape.
• Proven success in growing premium food products in retail settings (natural, specialty, or conventional).
• Comfortable wearing multiple hats in a small-team, high-growth environment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong follow-through, attention to detail, and self-direction.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel; familiarity with CRM tools a plus.
• Willingness to travel 30%+ to visit retailers, attend industry events, and conduct market visits.