Sales Director, East Zone

Location: Northern

## Sales Director, East Zone Apply locations:
United States (Remote) time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todayjob requisition :
R819863

Provides strategic leadership, coaching and business direction for a team of at least three Region Managers within the Food service Distributor channel. Responsible for delivering zone-level sales, profit and growth objectives by aligning Region Managers, Business Development Managers, Brokers and Distributor partners to the Food service Distributor Annual Operating Plan. Leads team to work cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to execute key customer strategies, distributor priorities, regional broker performance, new business development and cross-functional initiatives across multiple geographic regions.

Job Description and Responsibilities The Director of the East Zone reports to the VP, Sales - Food service Business Unit. This role is remote and the person should reside in a major metro market in the Eastern states. Preferred locations are Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
* Leads, coaches and develops a team of at least three Region Managers responsible for Food service Distributor performance across assigned geographic zones.
* Translates the Food service Distributor Operating Plan into zone-level priorities, clear goals, account strategies and measurable execution plans.
* Owns sales, profit, new business and strategic growth objectives for the assigned director area and monitors Region Manager progress against annual budgets.
* Conducts regular business reviews with Region Managers to assess distributor performance, broker execution, pipeline health, customer opportunities and risk mitigation plans.
* Builds and maintains senior-level relationships with key Food service Distributors, regional brokers, targeted chain accounts and strategic operator partners.
* Provides direction to Region Managers on distributor planning, regional chain development, large leverage operators, key segment focus and priority account execution.
* Collaborates with Corporate Distributor leadership to support execution of corporate distributor product approvals and local market implementation across assigned zones.
* Ensures Region Managers effectively manage broker relationships, market coverage, food show participation, product demonstrations and follow-up activities.
* Guides teams in identifying, pursuing and securing profitable new business opportunities that support annual growth objectives.
* Reviews and prioritizes target account lists, key segment plans and opportunity pipelines with Region Managers and Business Development Managers on a regular cadence.
* Leads escalation and resolution of customer, distributor or product-related issues across assigned zones, including coordination with Quality Assurance, Customer Service, Operations and cross-functional partners.
* Leads cross-functional communication with Marketing, R & D, Culinary, Purchasing, Cost Accounting, Operations and Customer Service to advance distributor and operator opportunities.
* Provides field insight, competitive intelligence, customer feedback and business recommendations to senior leadership.
* Develops talent through coaching, ride-alongs, performance feedback, succession planning and individual development plans for Region Managers.
* Ensures timely completion of required reporting, forecasting, administrative documentation and performance tracking across assigned zones.
* Actively participates in and helps lead Food service Sales Meetings, planning sessions and strategic distributor reviews.
** Minimum

Job Requirements:

**** Education/

Certifications:

*** College degree or equivalent experience required.
* Culinary or Sales related accreditation a plus
* Must possess valid driver’s license.
*
* Experience:

*** Minimum of 8-12 years’ experience in Food service Sales, Distributor Management, Sales Leadership or related commercial roles.
* Prior experience leading sales managers, multi-market teams or geographically dispersed associates required.
* Demonstrated success delivering sales growth, profitability, new business development and execution through others.
*
* Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

*** Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point
* Proficient in use of Outlook
* Demonstrated leadership and possesses the ability to develop interdepartmental relationships
* Strong verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of associates and customers ranging from entry level to executive level positions.
* Ability to work with multiple departments including but not limited to Cost Accounting, Operations, Purchasing, R & D, Culinary, Quality Assurance, and Information Services, both internally and externally.
* Ability to manage multiple tasks, often with competing deadlines.
* Strong coaching, talent development, performance management and team leadership capabilities.
* Ability to analyze business performance, identify market opportunities and convert strategic…