Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) National Sales Manager – Distributor Channel (New Jersey, USA)

Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) National Sales Manager – Distributor Channel

Location:Hybrid (New Jersey)

Employment Type:Full-Time

Talent Focus is supporting a fast-growing consumer products business to recruit a
CPG
National Sales Manager – Distributor Channel
. This is a high-impact opportunity to lead and expand relationships with national and regional grocery distributors, playing a pivotal role in accelerating market penetration and driving sustainable revenue growth.

As one of the first dedicated sales leaders within the organization, you'll have the opportunity to shape the distributor sales strategy, influence best practices, and build scalable processes as the business enters its next phase of growth.

If you thrive in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment and have a proven track record of growing distributor partnerships within the CPG sector, we'd love to hear from you.

• Develop, own and grow strategic relationships with national and regional grocery distributors, including organizations such as
  UNFI, KeHE, C&S, and other key wholesale partners.
• Drive new product authorizations and expand distribution across existing and new distribution sites.
• Manage the day-to-day operational relationship with distributors, including purchase orders, deductions, chargebacks, fill rates and service performance.
• Develop and oversee broker relationships to maximise regional retail execution and sales performance.
• Lead demand forecasting and inventory planning to ensure optimal product availability while minimizing stock shortages and excess inventory.
• Negotiate promotional programmes, trade investment – slotting opportunities and commercial agreements with distributor category management teams.
• Analyze sales performance, product velocity, distribution gains and market trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize channel performance.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Supply Chain and Marketing teams to support product launches, promotional initiatives and ongoing demand planning.
• Represent the business at industry trade shows, customer meetings and distributor category reviews.
• Contribute to the development of scalable sales processes and distributor best practices as the business continues to expand.

We're looking for a commercially driven sales professional who combines strategic account management expertise with strong operational capability.

You'll ideally bring:

• 4+ years' experience in CPG, food & beverage or related consumer products sales.
• Demonstrated success managing national grocery distributors such as
  UNFI, KeHE, C&S, or equivalent wholesale distribution partners.
• A proven track record of securing new distribution opportunities while growing existing accounts.
• Strong knowledge of distributor operations, including forecasting, inventory management, deductions, chargebacks and service level management.
• Excellent analytical skills with advanced Excel proficiency and the ability to interpret sales, forecasting and distribution data.
• Experience working cross-functionally with operations, marketing and supply chain teams.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the ability to establish processes and drive continuous improvement within a growing organization.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and relationship management skills.
• Willingness to travel nationally for customer meetings, distributor reviews and industry events.

• Existing relationships with category managers or key contacts within
  UNFI, KeHE, C&Sor similar national grocery distributors.
• Experience working within a high-growth or entrepreneurial consumer products business.
• Exposure to launching new products and scaling national distribution programmes.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join an ambitious and growing business where you'll have genuine influence over the distributor strategy and play a key role in shaping future commercial success. You'll work with in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where initiative, innovation and results are recognized and rewarded.