Vice President/General Manager, Sales, Natural Channel

Smart Balance, Inc. (NasdaqGM: SMBL) is committed to providing superior tasting heart healthier alternatives in every category it enters by avoiding trans fats naturally, balancing fats and/or reducing saturated fats, total fat and cholesterol, and/or by incorporating ingredients that consumers may be missing in their diets. The company markets the Smart Balance® line of products, which include Smart Balance® Buttery Spreads/Sticks, Spreadable Butter, Enhanced Milk, Peanut Butter, Microwave Popcorn, Cooking Oil, Non-Stick Cooking Spray, Mayonnaise, and Cheese. Additionally, the company markets natural food products under the Earth Balance® brand, healthier lifestyle products under the BestlifeTM brand, and gluten-free products under the Glutino® brand.

Position Overview:

The Vice-President/General Manager- Sales, Natural Channel is accountable for all Channel Profit & Loss responsibility and to lead Channel Region VP/GM's and agency partners in developing, implementing and managing the annual business plan with assigned customers within the Channel. Due to the strategic relevance and importance of this Channel to the Company, this position will have very direct interaction and collaborative relationships with the SVP/GM's of Marketing, with an indirect reporting relationship.

The Natural Channel VP/GM also works with the other Team Managers and departments including: Marketing, Commercial Development, Supply Chain, Retail and Finance, as well as other Smart Balance functions to ensure plan goal alignment. The Channel VP/GM leads in all aspects of managing the Channel Region VP/GM's and agency partners to achieve Smart Balance, Inc., attainment for profit, margin, revenue and 4P goals for assigned customers.

Responsibilities:

• P&L Management: Own all facets of the Region P&L in making fact based business decisions that drive profit, margin, revenue, and 4P goal attainment.
• Leadership: Provide overall Leadership to agency, Customers, and Smart Balance team for assigned responsibilities.
• Develop the Annual Business Plan: Develop and manage the business plan for the assigned agency and customers to meet brand strategies and objectives in the assigned geography. Ensure that the plans incorporate programs that achieve the company's business goals with regard to profit, margin, revenue and share.
• Manage Day-to-Day Agency and Customer Contact: Lead and manage the day-to-day agency partner and customer sales contact involving planning, selling, and managing program implementation. Ensure the effective and actionable communication of Smart Balance's company and marketing strategies to the agency and customers.
• Achieve Goals: Identify, monitor and address specific agency and customer needs to achieve company goals in the assigned geography for profit, margin, revenue and share.
• Manage Agency: Communicate, lead and manage program implementation by the team and assigned sales agency to achieve Smart Balance objectives. Train and develop team members and assigned agency managers/teams to achieve company goals and long-term skill development.
• Provide Forecasts: Ensure the timely and actionable forecasting of Channel business, agency and customer needs in collaboration with Supply Chain/Demand Management with regard to volume goals. Forecast trade investment and all Natural budgets, and program characteristics with implementation timing.
• Enhance Customer Contact: Help enhance customer contact to achieve penetration at the senior management level and across functional areas that can drive enhanced Smart Balance and agency business performance. Specific focus required at Top Customers such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Sunflower, NCGA, INFRA, as well as UNFI, and Nature's Best.
• Collaboration with Commercial Development & Marketing: Align with the Commercial Development & Marketing teams on Category/Brand/Channel/Customer Strategies, Objectives, and Needs of Region.

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Chief Customer Officer

Qualifications:

Education:

• B.S. Business Management or Marketing
• MBA a plus

Experience:

• Minimum 15 years Consumer Packaged Goods Sales experience
• Progressive Sales experience with Customers, Managing & Leading Sales teams
• Strong background and experience in the Natural Foods Channel
• P&L Management experience is strongly desired

To Apply:

To be considered for this exciting opportunity please send an email with the following:

• Subject line of "Smart Balance Inc - VP GM Sales, Natural Channel"
• Must include: Cover Letter, Resume and Salary Requirements