New England Regional Sales Manager

88 Acres creates inclusive foods that are better for our bodies, community and planet because we believe you can have it both ways. As a mission-driven brand we have our own allergen-friendly bakery in Boston thoughtfully creating bars and butters with whole seeds and simple ingredients. 88 Acres can be found nationally across grocers such as Whole Foods and Sprouts, Walmart, and on-board JetBlue flights. We're looking to hire a New England Regional Sales Manager to support existing brand efforts and forge new partnerships throughout New England, specifically within non-grocery retail and food service partners. The candidate would have experience in grocery retail and / or food service sales and marketing. The successful candidate will be consistently curious, think & act entrepreneurially, have excellent interpersonal skills, confidence to establish and initiate new relationships, and grit to be successful in a competitive market. This person will be an expert on all 88 Acres products and brand story to provide brand education and awareness to new accounts. The ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit and is highly motivated to achieve growth goals set by the demand team leaders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB TASKS

• Own sales strategy and execution in the assigned territory primarily through new business development initiatives in addition to select account management growth efforts with current customers.
• Prospect and close sales calls for key accounts in respective areas to achieve target sales goals.
• Employ a consultative sales and account management approach that focuses on building a long term, value-based relationship with accounts.
• Own expansion of the market with sales efforts into discovery accounts (cafes, hotels, gyms, corporate partners, etc.), ensuring seamless on-boarding and on-going support.
• Drive creative field marketing efforts through key partners (sampling efforts, event participation, etc.) and collaborate internally as needed with the brand marketing team to help bring partnerships to life across digital channels.
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to increase sales, space and productivity in an account while maintaining satisfactory customer service.
• Collaborate cross-functionally within the company across finance, marketing and operations to ensure customer needs are met and exceeded.
• Manage internal sales pipeline with proactive communication of performance and forecast to leadership.
• Create new and manage existing specialty distributor relationships to help support fulfillment into new and existing accounts.
• Place orders, in some cases pack out, and merchandise 88 Acres product where needed to help support display and resolve any out of stock activity.
• Be the primary 88 Acres ambassador for consumer interactions through on-premise activations.
• Focus on customer retention and improving overall customer satisfaction and provide customer technical support and consultant services to increase our overall value to the customer.
  

BENEFITS

Benefits for full time employees medical, dental, vision insurance, employer funded life insurance, 401k with company match, PTO, and paid holidays.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Self starter, entrepreneurial, curious, and demonstrate follow-through on partner issues.
• Ability to build strategic plans and execute tactically to achieve growth goals.
• Excellent communication, both written and interpersonal.
• Customer and service oriented to build relationships and support the demand team, and customer.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to successfully manage designated region and new / existing partnership relationships.
• Willingness to build meaningful relationships with key partners requiring travel within a regional coverage area.
• Must be able to take direction and respond to coaching and goal direction from leadership.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BA/BS degree or equivalent work experience (2-3 years)
• 3-7 years of direct sales experience within food or beverage
• Food service / alternative channel sales experience a plus
• Grocery retail and merchandising experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of excel, Google analytics and Google suite

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position requires frequent travel, with up to 70% of time spent traveling, in the market and across the respective territory to drive growth goals and appropriately support customers.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evening hours as needed based on determined market needs.
• This position will require in person office time for meetings, demand summits, and during down time. Remote work is limited for this position.
• Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time, as well as lift, push, pull up to 50 pounds.
• Valid drivers license and reliable transportation required

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