We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and results-driven Chief Sales Officer - Retail Perimeter Sales Channel, to lead the sales organization and accelerate profitable growth across perimeter categories, including deli, cheese, bakery, and prepared food departments. This role will develop and execute the company's retail sales strategy while leading a high-performing national sales team. The successful candidate will grow revenue, expand market share, strengthen key retail partnerships, and ensure strong execution across retail perimeter channels. The ideal candidate brings strategic leadership, hands-on commercial expertise, deep specialty food industry knowledge, and proven experience managing national retail accounts, and retail distributor relationships.
Responsibilities: - Develop and execute the retail perimeter sales strategy to achieve revenue, profitability, distribution, and market share goals.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing approximately 20-person retail sales organization, including regional leaders, sales managers, and broker partners.
- Build and strengthen executive-level relationships with national and regional grocery, specialty, and independent retail accounts, including deli, bakery, cheese, prepared foods, and specialty category decision-makers.
- Identify new business opportunities, retail partnerships, and channel expansion strategies for perimeter products.
- Negotiate pricing, customer agreements, promotional programs, and annual business plans that support profitable growth in perimeter categories.
- Partner cross-functionally with marketing, supply chain, procurement, business development, and operations to support product launches, merchandising programs, and retail execution.
- Analyze sales performance, market trends, competitive activity, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities.
- Develop sales budgets, forecasts, and strategic business plans.
- Monitor key performance indicators, including revenue growth, profit margin, distribution gains, promotional effectiveness, and customer profitability.
- Lead trade planning, promotional strategy, merchandising execution, and category growth initiatives for assigned categories.
- Represent the company at trade shows, customer meetings, and business development events.
Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Sales, Management, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- 15+ years of progressive sales leadership experience in specialty foods, deli, cheese, bakery, food import, CPG, food manufacturing, or consumer products.
- 7 - 10+ years of executive-level experience leading national or multi-regional retail sales organizations, preferably within retail perimeter or specialty food channels.
- Knowledge of retail perimeter categories, including deli, cheese, bakery, specialty foods, and related fresh or prepared food departments.
- Experience developing retailer-specific sales, merchandising, promotional, and category programs for specialty and perishable food categories.
- Strong financial and business acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, and sales analytics.
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing sales teams with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency with MS Office and SalesForce; Infor M3 a plus.
- Experience with syndicated market data platforms such as NielsenIQ, SPINS, or IRI/Circana.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 35%.
- Experience with imported food products is preferred
- Established relationships with major grocery retailers, specialty retail chains, and deli, bakery, cheese, or specialty food category buyers.
- Experience managing broker networks, distributors, and third-party sales agencies.
- Knowledge of private label development, branded consumer products, and specialty perimeter merchandising programs.
- Entrepreneurial, proactive, and results-oriented approach to challenges and opportunities.
- Strong analytical abilities with the ability to problem-solve, prioritize, and make sound decisions in complex environments.
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and collaborative with a strong work ethic.
Salary Range: $250,000 - $300,000 annually plus bonus
Our company will be relocating to a new corporate headquarters in Madison, NJ in Q1 of 2027. Candidates should be comfortable with this upcoming change in location. Our Benefits: We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following subject to your location and role.
- Health: Medical, dental and vision insurance, Company-paid life, accident and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts
- Wealth: Competitive pay, annual bonus opportunity, matching 401(k) with immediate vesting upon enrollment, generous employee referral program
- Professional Growth: Online training courses, virtual and classroom development experiences, education assistance program
- Work-Life Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work schedules (subject to your location and role)
- Team Building: Employee engagement and recognition programs, wellness, philanthropic and DE&I initiatives, Company-sponsored celebrations, and team building events
