Vice President of Sales - Pet Food

About the Role

We are collaborating with a rapidly expanding pet food manufacturer to recruit a Vice President of Sales tasked with driving the next chapter of growth across specialty pet, mass retail, grocery, and club channels. This leadership position demands an experienced sales executive familiar with scaling both dry and wet varieties of dog and cat food, treats, and pet nutrition products through national retail and distributor networks. Proficiency across diverse pet food formats is essential, aligning with the core category segments.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement a nationwide sales strategy that spans specialty pet, mass retail, grocery, e-commerce, and club channels.
• Accelerate sales growth across dry and wet dog and cat food lines, as well as treats.
• Increase distribution reach through existing retail partnerships and gain new national accounts.
• Establish and nurture executive-level relationships with key retailers, distributors, and brokers.
• Lead annual business and joint business planning, alongside promotional and trade investment strategies.
• Ensure successful launches of new products and optimize distribution potential.
• Evaluate category trends and consumer behaviors to uncover additional opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Product Development teams to meet commercial targets.
• Recruit and develop a high-performing sales team by mentoring and leadership.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years’ progressive leadership experience in sales within the pet food, pet nutrition, or closely related consumer packaged goods sectors.
• Proven track record in growing sales across dry and wet dog food, dry and wet cat food, treats, or premium pet nutrition segments.
• Strong background in negotiating and selling to major retailers such as PetSmart, Petco, Chewy, Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's Club, Tractor Supply, regional grocery chains, and independent pet shops.
• Experience in expanding both established and emerging brands with robust strategic and negotiation skills.
• History managing brokers, distributors, and national retail accounts successfully.
• Entrepreneurial approach balancing strategic vision with operational execution.

Why Join?

This role offers the unique chance to influence the commercial trajectory of a flourishing pet food company with a product portfolio spanning dog food, cat food, and treats. You will have a central role in shaping sales strategy, customer engagement, and business development initiatives.