Regional Sales Manager- Chicago

Overview

Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is the $2.5bn+ food service division of Unilever, leading the dynamic Food Service market across its categories with ambitious growth objectives. We market professional food and beverage products to operators across 72 countries. UFS is accelerating its digital transformation to fuel growth through data‑driven and technology‑enabled GtM capabilities, targeting 2.5 million operators by 2030 via online and offline contact strategies.

Location:

Chicago.

• Lead, coach and develop a Customer Development team.
• Accountable for leading your team to deliver business targets for assigned region for Independent Operators, Chains, and Trade Partners.
• Full execution of UFS Annual Operating Plan and quarterly initiatives.
• Lead and train team to expand reach to Regional Restaurant Chains (50 units).
• Manage Small Regional Chain accounts and develop sales opportunities at each customer.
• Cultivate relationships with key tier 2 and 3 distributors to promote Unilever Food Solution’s products.
• Instill team commitment to lead management as primary driver of business growth.
• Develop business across all field channels within commercial and non‑commercial segments.
• Lead and train team to partner with restaurant executives and chefs to grow business.
• Lead and train team to partner with Distributor Partners, accelerate market growth through training, collaboration and execution of marketing programs.
• Win customers across all channels with appropriate level of trade and resources.
• Lead the implementation of the Contact Matrix for key trade customers with Squad approach for effective customer management.
• Develop and execute Joint Business Planning (JBPs) with selected trade partners, including Trade Term agreement, sell‑out activities and DSRs & trade team engagement & KPIs (sell‑out, reach, penetration, eCom, digital reach).
• Engage trade customers to gain alignment for Secondary Sales Data partnerships with proof of value addition.
• Coach and develop team to build & nurture relationships with key chain customers & independent operators, implement Contact Matrix with triangle model approach.
• Drive Independent Operator & Chain customer engagement per defined contact strategy (80% virtual, 20% face‑to‑face) using data‑driven recommendations for reach & penetration.
• Conduct virtual sampling, ideation, cooking demos and culinary knowledge sharing to secure new opportunities or increase volume usage by new menu applications.
• Execute customer business plan with selected key chain customers.
• Accountable for implementation and execution of all UFS digital tools within Territory/Area.
• Continuously enrich UFS customer data for more personalized campaigning.
• Follow up on leads (based on Marketo Leads scoring & Targeting Model) for 100% engagement & KPI delivery.
• Drive customer digital engagement for UFS digital platforms & campaigns (, UFS Academy, social media, webinars).
• Drive digital buying behavior via e‑commerce platforms (Webshop / trade partner Webshop / pure players).
• Lead category approach for Trade web shop to grow UFS business via joint campaigning with DT marketing & trade teams.

• Strategic selling skills
• Impactful virtual customer engagement
• Full understanding of all customers & UFS product solutions
• Business insights to activate solution selling
• Familiarity with UFS CD cycle
• Customer business planning & win‑back/retail
• Chef‑man‑ship
• Commercial skills
• Negotiation skills
• Digital & IT skills including eCom, Salesforce, Marketo
• Data & analytical skills – ability to use data‑driven insights for execution

• 6+ years of experience in the food service industry with a proven track record in sales, preferably in the food service industry.
• Experience in the use of digital & social media for selling.
• Passion for food and the OOH industry.
• Industry knowledge for trade customers.

Pay: $103,000 to $154,400.
Bonus: Position is bonus‑eligible.
Long‑Term Incentive: Position is LTI‑eligible.

Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan, including health insurance (prescription drug, dental, vision), retirement savings, life insurance, disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, and voluntary benefits. Coverage is in accordance with terms and conditions of applicable plans.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer, offering opportunities for Veterans and Persons with Disabilities. Unilever welcomes applicants from all walks of life and supports growth and development for all employees.