DESCRIPTION***This role is 100% remote. The role will occupy the Chicago region and nearby areas with frequent travel to customers and occasional travel to the Baton Rouge, LA office.***Job SummaryWe are seeking a high-energy, results-driven remote Regional Sales Manager to lead sales and distribution growth for our product portfolio across the Midwest grocery channel. You will be responsible for driving profitable volume growth, managing relationships with retail headquarters and brokers, and ensuring best-in-class in-store execution. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a "roll-up-the-sleeves" attitude, proficient in using syndicated data (Nielsen/IRI) to drive decision-making and maximize trade spend ROI.
Key Responsibilities- Strategic Planning & Growth: Develop and execute annual, quarterly, and monthly business plans to achieve volume, revenue, and profit targets for the region.
- Key Account Management: Serve as the lead point of contact for Retail/Distributor headquarters (e.g., Kroger, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Kehe) to secure new item authorizations, expanded distribution, and optimal shelf placement.
- Broker & Distributor Management: Direct and manage third-party broker teams to ensure compliance with account plans, retail execution, and promotional strategies.
- Trade Spend Management: Manage the trade spend budget to ensure ROI, overseeing deductions, and negotiating pricing within company guardrails.
- Data-Driven Insights: Utilize syndicated data (Nielsen/IRI/SPINS) and internal customer portals to analyze performance, identify opportunities, and mitigate competitive risks.
- In-Store Execution: Maintain a strong in-person presence in the market, conducting store audits to ensure merchandising compliance, and proper pricing.
- Internal Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to forecast demand, resolve service issues, and align on product launches.
Required Qualifications- Experience: 5+ years of CPG sales experience on the food manufacturer side, with direct responsibility for grocery retail accounts.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred.
- Broker Knowledge: Proven experience managing brokers and distributors (e.g., UNFI, KeHE).
- Skills: Strong analytical skills (Nielsen/IRI), financial acumen (P&L management), and proficiency in PowerPoint/Excel.
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and lead cross-functional initiatives.
- Travel: Ability to travel 30%-50% within the assigned region.
Preferred Attributes- Experience in specific grocery categories (e.g., Center Store, Meat/Seafood).
- Experience with EDLP and promotional strategies.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a "no excuses" approach to building a business.
REQUIREMENTSWe are proudly US-owned and US-made. In fact, our plant and headquarters are still located right where we started, in Baton Rouge.
In 1982, Louisiana Fish Fry Products was established to bring the true taste of Louisiana to a wider audience, with Cajun-inspired products that are authentic and easy to prepare. It started with fry mixes, then expanded to base mixes for Louisiana favorites like Jambalaya and Etouffée, followed by seafood boil, sauces and gravy mixes. Louisiana Fish Fry Products has since seen steady growth in both the retail and foodservice industry.
Today, Louisiana Fish Fry Products still proudly calls Baton Rouge, Louisiana home. Nearly forty years later, that same commitment to selling authentic Louisiana-style dishes made from only the finest, high-quality ingredients still proudly inspires everything we do.
