[Hiring] Executive Director of Sales @KeHE Distributors

Role Description

The Executive Director of Sales is a pivotal leadership role responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the development and execution of strategic sales, marketing, and merchandising programs. This position ensures all regional initiatives align with and achieve both the independent segment and organizational financial goals. Additionally, the Executive Director will proactively develop, strengthen, and solidify strategic relationships with key customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. As with all positions at our company, the incumbent is expected to lead by example, ensuring all actions, strategies, and partnerships are strictly consistent with the company’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Primary Responsibilities

• Drive Strategy: Translate company vision into actionable growth plans and team specific performance objectives.
• Identify Opportunities: Spot and seize new customer business through consistent market follow-up.
• Analyze Markets: Monitor competitor activities and recommend strategic paths to mitigate sales degradation and increase market penetration.
• Manage Categories: Analyze and cascade category management and growth solutions information and market initiatives to improve KeHE share of shelf.
• Represent Brand: Participate in trade events and industry associations via public speaking.
• Own P&L: Manage all financial aspects, including budgeting, forecasting, and expense management.
• Govern Budgets: Oversee and manage budgets for all assigned regions.
• Guide Decisions: Lead financial analysis of sales performance and margins to direct choices.
• Maximize Account Sales and Penetration: Execute fact-based, analytical selling programs to maximize account-level sales and profit.
• Build Teams: Lead, develop, and coach high-performing sales leaders and teams.
• Foster Culture: Create a motivating climate that drives results even under tough circumstances.
• Unite Diversity: Construct strong-identity teams that leverage diverse skills to achieve common goals.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Collaborate with other corporate functional areas to meet unified objectives.
• Secure Partnerships: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Enforce Compliance: Assure established company policies and procedures are strictly followed.
• Execute Urgency: Meet project deadlines and sudden requests with a strong sense of urgency.
• Strategic Acumen: Deep financial acumen coupled with an ability to balance growth and sustainability.
• Decisive Action: Ability to act quickly and decisively in fast-changing, unpredictable environments.
• High Integrity: Gain trust through authenticity, transparent communication, and high ethical standards.
• Problem Solving: Ability to interpret complex, high-quantity, and contradictory data to solve problems.
• Process Focus: Continuous improvement mindset to discover, gain organizational alignment, and implement the most efficient processes.
• Courageous Leadership: Willingness to directly address difficult issues and say what needs to be said.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Willingness to travel to various business locations up to 50% of the time.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed, including some weekends.
• Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Business, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 12+ years of experience in the grocery retail channel with 8+ years of management experience.

Requirements

• Proven track record of developing and executing strategy, managing financial performance, leading high-performing teams, and driving profitable business growth.

Benefits

• Health/Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays