Schwan Food Co

Area Sales & Distribution Manager - Northern CA

Schwan Food Co$68K — $113K *
Food & Beverages
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or equivalent required
  • 5+ years of experience in sales, sales operations, distribution, or leadership roles
  • Ability to meet Federal DOT medical certification requirements
  • Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
  • Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook
  • Strong time-management and organizational skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop the sales and distribution team through recruitment, training, and performance coaching
  • Drive sales and customer success by guiding the team to meet goals and deliver exceptional service
  • Oversee distribution operations including routing, fleet maintenance, and compliance with DOT regulations
  • Enforce compliance with safety practices and DOT guidelines
  • Analyze sales and distribution data to support strategic decisions and continuous improvement
  • Prepare and present financial and performance reports to leadership
  • Maintain frequent field presence to support and coach the team

Benefits

  • Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and a 401(k) with company match
  • Growth opportunities within a company with strong, recognizable brands
  • Competitive total rewards benefits package
Full Job Description
We9re seeking an Area Sales & Distribution Manager to lead a high-performing sales and distribution team serving the Hayward, CA and the surrounding Northern CA markets. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys being in the field, and is driven to deliver results through strong people leadership, operational excellence, and customer-focused execution.

What You Will Do:
  • Lead and develop your team through recruiting, hiring, training, performance coaching, and ongoing development, ensuring alignment with company mission, values, ethics, and conduct standards
  • Drive sales and customer success by guiding your team to meet sales and distribution goals, maximize in-store opportunities, and deliver strong merchandising, promotional execution, and exceptional service to retail partners
  • Oversee distribution operations including truck utilization, dynamic routing, fleet maintenance, Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance, and pre-trip/post-trip execution
  • Ensure safety and regulatory compliance by enforcing all company safety practices and DOT guidelines across the team
  • Monitor business performance by reviewing team metrics, analyzing sales and distribution data, and providing insights to support strategic decisions and continuous improvement
  • Prepare and present reports to leadership, including financial, operational, and key performance indicators
  • Maintain field presence by riding with your team at least three days per week to coach, support execution, and understand market needs; role includes some overnight travel

Required Qualifications:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • 5+ years of experience in sales, sales operations, distribution, or related leadership roles
  • Ability to meet Federal DOT medical certification requirements
  • Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Commercial Driver9s License (CDL) from the state of residence to operate a commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or greater
  • Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook
  • Strong time-management and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor9s degree
  • Prior Direct Store Delivery (DSD) or food industry experience
  • Experience presenting and influencing in group settings

What We Offer:
  • Competitive total rewards benefits package
    • Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and a 401(k) with company match
  • A growing company with strong, recognizable brands
  • Opportunities for advancement

The base salary range for this position is $68,000 - $113,000 annually with eligibility for a 20% annual incentive bonus, which is based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

#T2

About Schwan Food Co

The Schwan Food Company is a privately held company that manufactures and markets frozen foods. The company sells frozen foods from home delivery trucks, in grocery store freezers, by mail, and to the food service industry. The company produces, markets, and distributes products developed under brands such as Red Baron, Freschetta, Tony's, Mrs. Smith's, Edwards, Pagoda Express, and Larry's. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Marshall, Minnesota.
Learn more about Schwan Food Co
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1952

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