The Sales Manager is responsible for driving sales and profitability of Bellisio Foods business with Hyvee, AWG, Save a Lot, Schnucks and Central America through sales, merchandising, promotion, shelf sets, pricing, and products. This person will have a Sales background and will report directly to and work closely with our Director of Sales and Vice President of Sales. This person will also work closely with the existing team and shared functional resources (Brokers, Analytics, Revenue Growth, Customer Service, Marketing, Operations, Finance and Sales) to ensure the business strategies between Bellisio Foods, and the accounts in the region are aligned and delivered. Continual proactive diagnoses of issues and opportunities required to frame the recommended course of action and strategy to profitably grow the business.

Job Duties:

The Sales Manager will work in tandem with the Vice President of Sales and Director of Sales to:

• Deliver superior in store presence and manage business plan focused on product distribution, placement, pricing, and promotional activities in line with established Bellisio Foods Fundamental Guidelines

• Design and recommend sales and marketing programs to the customer

• Manage customer specific business plans to drive assigned sales and profits goals

• Manage brokers in the region by providing clear and measurable expectations, a monthly sales plan and bi-monthly store audits

• Planning – to identify key selling windows, promotional opportunities, and key development initiatives to gain incremental in-line and promotional space

• Budget – work to develop and manage product level budgets pertaining to sales, margins, program funds, and allowances

• Forecasting – direct responsibility for managing the product forecasting for assigned food categories and accounts

• Team – work within the marketing and retail sales team structure to identify and pursue ideas, projects and opportunities that have the greatest sales and margin potential

• Keep the team abreast of category, industry, shopper, and consumer insights

• Use insights to recommend actionable tactics for our customers

• Understand and communicate the dynamics of the category to customer and company teams

• Communication – raise awareness of account issues, opportunities and results through weekly status report, the weekly sales meeting and constant discussion horizontally and vertically throughout the organization

• Represent Bellisio Foods at tradeshows, and at in store events such as new store openings

• Maintain customer correspondence and price quote files and ensure that orders received have the correct financial documentation and backup so that payment is assured

• Assistance in coordinating marketing promotions, literature, sample requests and competitive information

• Preparation of business reviews and presentations as appropriate

• Interact with other departments in the organization to ensure the proper handling of customer requirements

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communication, or related field
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years previous experience working with UNFI and experience managing regional brokers in any of the following capacities: sales, buyer, or category management
• Cross-functional customer-facing team interaction experience
• Managing sales, profit, and trade budgets
• Implementing and managing retailer specific programs
• Excellent interpersonal and written and spoken communication skills
• Self-starter personality able to “pioneer” new directions and new opportunities
• Ability to travel approximately 30%

Bellisio Foods is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran, or disability status.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)