Northeast Regional Director of Sales

Garden Spot is a full service wholesale distributor of the highest quality organic, natural and specialty foods. With more than 30 years experience in the health food industry, we pick and choose the brands we represent based on integrity of ingredients, nutritional value, and the special dietary concerns of your customers.  

Position Overview: 

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Northeast Regional Director of Sales.  The successful candidate for this position will be responsible for managing and growing our current distribution within the Northeast region, generating new revenue at key accounts within the Organic/Natural Foods and Grocery segment of business.  This highly motivated individual will utilize our existing sales resources and develop new ones to drive sales performance, distribution efficiencies, account presentations and trade show displays.

Responsibilities:

• Manage sales objectives and execute sales plans for all accounts in the region. Responsible for overall execution of the sales plan in the northeast region.
• Develops and implements strategies to increase sales across all channels for both distributed brands and the company's propriety brand.
• Leverages relationships with key accounts in order to gain market share and brand positioning.
• Leads the sales force to build existing business and attain new distribution. Works directly with key accounts (both natural/organic and grocery), distributors and retailers to grow distribution and promotional activity. Understands what is involved to create a plan that works for our customers and our company to grow the business.
• Establishes pricing strategy with Corporate Controller based on separate customer segments.
• Inspires, motivates and leads a "results -driven" team within the sales organization, including the sales representatives and team members of sales support and marketing.
• Identifies, prioritizes and establishes sales pursuits to open new accounts in the region according to sales plans.
• Collaborate with other departments and management personnel in order to increase communications that leads to overall company growth and success.
• Facilitate ongoing education and product knowledge of Sales Representatives.
• Establishes 12 month forecasts for all key accounts and new product launches in the region, updating monthly and quarterly.
• Establishes and manages all expenses budgets applicable to sales and marketing.
• Builds and maintains solid business relationships by traveling regularly to meet with accounts and stores within the region.
• Understands and utilizes sales data from various sources to aid in growing sales and monitoring performance. Uses sales data to create presentations to target objectives accordingly.
• Implements monthly marketing program and ensures optimal product placement in stores.
• Collaborates with Purchasing regarding product mix and inventory requirements.
• Manage customer service needs with the sales and marketing staff.
• Completes all administrative requirements, including preparation and distribution of required reports and performance reviews of reporting employees.
• Serves as a member of the Leadership Team

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of regional manager experience in the organic or specialty food industry.
• Demonstrated ability to build solid customer relationships and strong account management skills.
• Possess a proactive outlook, initiative and drive with the ability to anticipate work needs and follow through with minimal direction.
• Must have a passion for and understanding of the organic/natural foods industry and nutritional issues.
• Must have strong management style.
• Exceptional product demonstration and training skills.
• A strong regional network of industry contacts with an organic and/or specialty focus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be able to respond to internal and external customers in a diplomatic and positive manner.
• Ability to maintain external and internal confidentiality of all company and management information at all times.
• Solid organization and time management skills.
• Proficient computer skills including the MS Office Suite.
• Ability and desire to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Must have a can-do approach to business.
• Must be willing to contribute towards the growth of the company through ideas, industry trends, account performance, etc.
• Possess a positive attitude and interact with all company and industry personnel with respect and professionalism.
• Strong leadership and team building skills