Regional Vice President of Sales- Midwest Region

SUMMARY- The role is responsible for the Midwest region—covering Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana—with Chicago as the preferred base location.

The Regional Vice President (RVP) of Sales provides strategic and operational leadership for business development within the assigned geographic region. This role is responsible for driving new client acquisition, building strong long-term relationships, and developing and implementing sales strategies aligned with company growth objectives. The RVP will oversee the full sales cycle from prospecting through contract negotiation and account onboarding, while ensuring collaboration across Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Legal. A key part of the role includes representing the company at public meetings and industry events, developing financial projections, and ensuring disciplined use of CRM and reporting tools. The RVP will serve as a hands-on leader, balancing innovation, customer focus, and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Business Development & Sales Execution

• Develop and execute annual sales plans to achieve or exceed assigned sales quotas.
• Lead the sales process end-to-end including strategic planning, budgeting, prospecting, sales calls, site visits, client meetings, proposal development, presentations, negotiations, closing, and post-sale follow-up.
• Generate new leads through telemarketing, electronic campaigns, and written communications.
• Conduct regular client visits and sales calls across the territory.
• Manage the proposal workflow to ensure strict deadlines are met with complete and accurate documentation.
• Deliver proposals and presentations to School Boards, parent groups, and selection committees, including in public settings such as local access television.
• Take the lead on contract negotiations with new clients, collaborating with Legal and Operations.

Market Presence & Representation

• Manage and attend trade shows, association meetings, and industry events to represent and promote the company.
• Attend School Board meetings as needed, including evening sessions.
• Partner with Marketing to set strategies for new products and contribute to proposal rewrites and marketing development initiatives.

Financial & Strategic Planning

• Develop financial projections in collaboration with the Operations team, present projections to senior management for approval.
• Monitor competitive financial results and maintain required sales and financial reporting.
• Read, interpret, and prepare documentation for RFPs, Bids, and RFIs.
• Conduct pre-bid meetings, site surveys, and operational planning with Operations.

Client Relationship Management & Operational Support

• Maintain and strengthen client relationships with new and existing accounts.
• Assist Operations in new account openings, providing on-site support as needed.
• Support the rebid process with existing clients in collaboration with Operations.
• Attend District Manager and Food Service Director meetings as required.

Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Liaise with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements.
• Maintain discipline in CRM usage, ensuring accurate tracking of daily sales activities, campaigns, and prospect status.
• Participate in strategic sales meetings, marketing initiatives, and ongoing professional development to stay current with school nutrition regulations, procurement practices, and evolving sales strategies.

General Support and Operational Oversight

• Adapt to evolving organizational priorities by taking on special assignments and interim responsibilities as requested.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or related field.
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration or related field, preferred. 

EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Experience:

• Must have 5-10 years of proven sales experience; preferably within the food service industry.
• School nutrition: K-12 sales experience strongly preferred.

Computer Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in Salesforce or other business intelligence applications.

Competencies:

• Communication: Excellent interpersonal abilities, proven ability to listen, evaluate and contribute, excellent writing and verbal skills, excellent presentation preparation, and delivery skills. ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality of sensitive private data.
• Decision-Making: takes initiative, drives for results, ability to prioritize work, communicate problems and propose solutions, as appropriate; sound, mature judgment, and integrity.
• Execution: Sense of urgency and responsibility, meets deadlines; action-oriented and entrepreneurial, flexible work style; ability to multi-task and work under pressure, detail oriented
• Strategic Ability: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Creative Ability: Demonstrates an innovative approach to work, thinks creatively, and develops non-traditional solutions to complex business challenges.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial principles and business drivers; ability to interpret, analyze, and apply financial data to support decision-making and organizational strategy. Demonstrates fiscal responsibility, budget management expertise, and the ability to balance short-term performance with long-term financial health.
• Sales Ability: Possesses outstanding sales management skills, strong negotiation, and the ability to be a hands-on leader/player/coach.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Position requires travel, possibly more than 50% travel to prospective and existing clients, and multiple work sites, some out-of-town. Most travel will be confined to day trips within the region but may also include overnight stays as well. The nature of the position requires the candidate to work unpredictable hours during the peak bidding season.

• Competitive base salary bonus potential 

• Health, dental, and vision insurance 

• Generous paid time off 

• 401(k) with company match 

Salary Range 140K-160K

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work is performed primarily in a company or home-office setting. The noise level in the company work environment is moderate.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work and duties that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, and the Company reserves the right to add additional duties or modify existing duties.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Company and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.