National Sales Manager - Conventional Grocer Location: RemoteReports To: VP of SalesDepartment: SalesPosition Summary:The National Sales Manager- Conventional Grocer is responsible for developing and executing a strategic sales plan to grow distribution and revenue of premium pork products across national and regional conventional grocery retailers (e.g., Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, Safeway, etc.). This role leads account management, builds brand presence, and delivers profitability in line with company goals. The ideal candidate brings strong relationships in conventional grocery, a deep understanding of the premium meat category, and the ability to communicate value to buyers and consumers alike.
Key Responsibilities:Sales Leadership & Strategy- Lead the retail sales strategy for high-end pork products across conventional grocers nationwide.
- Build and execute annual sales plans, including volume forecasts, trade budgets, promotional calendars, and new product introductions.
- Identify market expansion opportunities and lead customer acquisition initiatives in the conventional retail space.
Account & Relationship Management- Own senior-level relationships with key retail accounts (e.g., Kroger, Albertsons, H-E-B, Wegmans).
- Negotiate pricing, programs, promotional events, and merchandising support to drive in-store velocity and category leadership.
- Work with buyers to secure new placements, manage resets, and ensure alignment with consumer trends.
Team & Broker Management- Lead and develop a team of broker partners to ensure flawless retail execution.
- Provide strategic direction, training, and performance feedback to support team growth and accountability.
Data-Driven Sales Execution- Analyze retail performance using syndicated data (IRI, Nielsen), customer POS, and internal tools to guide strategic decisions.
- Monitor and optimize trade spend to ensure efficiency and ROI on promotional investments.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance to align on forecasting, inventory planning, and marketing activation.
- Work closely with QA and Product Development to relay retailer and consumer feedback and support innovation in the premium pork category.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (MBA preferred), or relevant experience in lieu of education.
- 8-10 years of CPG retail sales experience, preferably in meat, premium protein, or perishables.
- Deep knowledge of the conventional grocery landscape and relationships with key retail buyers.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to manage broker networks and national account portfolios.
- Proficiency in trade promotion management tools, syndicated data (IRI, Nielsen), and Microsoft Office.
Preferred Experience:- Experience selling premium or heritage-breed meats, natural or organic CPG products.
- Familiarity with claims-based marketing (e.g., humanely raised, antibiotic-free, pasture-raised).
- Understanding of shopper marketing and in-store merchandising in the meat department.
Work Environment:- Remote with up to 50% travel (customer meetings, trade shows, plant visits, internal team meetings).
