Channel Sales Manager – Mass Merchandise & Retail

Travel: Approximately 20%

Blues Hog is one of the most recognized and award-winning brands in barbecue. Built on a reputation for championship-quality sauces, seasonings, marinades, and premium food products, our mission is to deliver bold flavor and exceptional quality to consumers across retail, food service, and specialty channels.

As Blues Hog continues to expand its retail presence nationwide, we're seeking a driven sales professional who is passionate about building customer relationships, developing new business opportunities, and growing market share with national and regional retailers.

If you're energized by opening doors, developing strategic retail partnerships, and delivering results, we'd love to talk with you.

The Channel Sales Manager – Mass Merchandise & Retail is responsible for driving profitable sales growth by expanding Blues Hog's presence across mass merchandise, grocery, club, farm & fleet, hardware, and specialty retail channels.

Working closely with retailers, brokers, distributors, and internal teams, this individual will identify new opportunities, grow existing business, and execute retail programs that increase distribution, sales, and brand visibility.

This is not a traditional account management role. We are looking for a motivated sales professional who is proactive, competitive, and driven to create new opportunities rather than simply maintain existing business.

• Aggressively identify, prospect, and develop new retail business opportunities.
• Build strategic relationships with:
• National and regional grocery retailers
• Farm & Fleet retailers
• Hardware and outdoor retailers
• Specialty food retailers
• Retail buying groups
• Sales brokers and distributor partners
• Manage and grow relationships with existing retail customers while expanding distribution into new accounts.
• Develop sales presentations, category reviews, and customer business plans.
• Negotiate pricing, promotional programs, new item placements, and annual agreements.
• Represent Blues Hog at retailer meetings, trade shows, and industry events.
• Consistently grow market share, shelf presence, and retail distribution.

• Identify consumer trends, retailer needs, and category growth opportunities.
• Partner with Marketing, Operations, and Product teams to provide customer insights that support future product offerings.
• Evaluate opportunities for new products, packaging enhancements, seasonal programs, and retail-exclusive items.
• Support new product launches and retail commercialization efforts.
• Recommend improvements to existing products based on retailer feedback, shopper trends, and marketplace demand.
• Collaborate with Marketing on merchandising programs, promotional calendars, point-of-sale materials, and retailer marketing initiatives.

• Manage retail opportunities from initial contact through successful implementation.
• Understand retailer requirements and communicate expectations internally.
• Coordinate item setup, product specifications, packaging, pricing, promotional schedules, and launch timelines.
• Process customer orders through the company's Order Management System.
• Maintain inventory awareness while coordinating with Operations and Customer Service.
• Build strong partnerships with retailers, brokers, distributors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage multiple customer projects simultaneously while ensuring deadlines and commitments are met.
• Serve as the primary liaison between customers and internal departments including Marketing, Operations, Customer Service, Production, and Quality.

• Assist with day-to-day business operations that support customer success.
• Support inventory planning and product availability.
• Identify opportunities to improve products, merchandising programs, processes, and systems.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and strategic planning initiatives.
• Stay informed of retail trends, shopper insights, category performance, competitive products, and emerging industry developments.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team on promotions, seasonal programs, new product launches, and retailer presentations.
• Foster a collaborative, team-first environment while supporting other departments as needed.

We're not looking for someone who simply manages existing business—we're looking for someone who creates it.

The ideal candidate is highly competitive, self-motivated, and proactive in identifying opportunities that drive growth. They don't wait for opportunities to come to them—they actively pursue new customers, develop strategic retail partnerships, and create momentum that delivers measurable results.

Successful candidates will possess:

• A hunter mentality with a proven ability to generate new business and expand existing retail accounts.
• A strong sense of urgency and relentless drive to achieve sales goals.
• Confidence…