Grocery National Sales Manager

Role Overview

A bakery client is seeking an experienced Grocery National Sales Manager to spearhead its entry into the retail grocery sector. This position offers a prominent leadership opportunity to establish and expand a new growth channel from inception, focusing on opening new grocery accounts and managing strategic distribution growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new partnerships with regional and national grocery retailers concentrating on in-store bakery and related grab-and-go categories.
• Implement a systematic regional test-and-expand approach to validate product velocity before scaling to national distribution.
• Develop and maintain relationships with buyers, category managers, brokers, distributors, and essential retail decision-makers.
• Lead presentations, negotiate contracts, conduct product sell-in, oversee follow-up activities, and manage launch execution with retailers.
• Oversee broker relationships across the U.S., addressing coverage gaps and onboarding new partners as needed.
• Assist in integrating and growing an acquired bakery business with existing grocery operations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, production, finance, marketing, and leadership on forecasting, pricing strategies, packaging, merchandising, and customer engagement.
• Track account performance metrics such as product velocity, promotional success, in-store execution, and obtain market feedback.
• Offer leadership market insights and strategic recommendations concerning retailer strategies, product innovation, and channel growth.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 7 to 10 years experience in grocery, bakery, deli, or similar fast-moving consumer goods sales; candidates with at least 5 years of proven success may also be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to grow small or emerging grocery brands by opening new accounts and launching products or SKUs effectively.
• Strong knowledge of grocery purchaser expectations, retailer decision processes, category dynamics, and regional retail organization.
• Experience managing relationships with brokers and distributors.
• Preference for candidates familiar with in-store bakery, deli, fresh foods, or related grocery categories.
• Capable of navigating environments with limited infrastructure, syndicated data, and internal resources.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, resourceful, and adept at hands-on management as an individual contributor.
• Balance strategic planning ability with direct execution capabilities.
• Willingness to travel extensively, up to 50% or more, across multiple markets.

Additional Information

This position involves substantial travel and operates remotely. It is focused on growth and relationship-building rather than routine account maintenance. The candidate will have a leading role in shaping the company's grocery market strategy and execution plans.