Food Service - Manager, Sales

The Food Service Division is seeking a Regional Sales Manager. This role is responsible for the successful implementation of the Taylor/Lifetime Brands sales strategy. Key duties include prospecting and developing food service accounts to promote and increase the penetration of the Taylor product offering. The ideal candidate will achieve this through various channels, including dealers, distributors, buying groups, national accounts, restaurants, supermarket chains, and culinary schools.

The Regional Sales Manager is responsible for achieving both top-line sales and gross margin targets, which will drive sustainable, profitable year-over-year growth. This success is crucial for repositioning the brand as a premium offering and increasing overall brand awareness.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Achieve and surpass budgeted sales targets by effectively managing, growing, and developing assigned accounts and territories.
• Concentrate sales efforts primarily within the Foodservice Trade Class.
• Collaborate with the Vice President – Food Service to devise and execute sales strategies, product development, and programs to enhance account performance.
• Represent Taylor/Lifetime Brands at major industry events, including all National Trade Shows, Foodservice Buying Conferences, and select Regional Trade Shows.
• Maintain a competitive edge and expand market share by closely monitoring market trends and competitor activity within assigned territories and accounts, and taking proactive steps based on recommendations.
• Cultivate relationships with account management at all organizational levels.
• Spearhead internal financial analysis and manage financial negotiations with accounts.
• Manage the sales forecasting process in partnership with the Forecasting team.
• Drive sales growth through a dual approach: direct selling relationships and oversight of a network of Manufacturer Representatives.
• Address and resolve daily account and buyer concerns related to logistics, supply chain, accounts receivable, forecasting, pricing negotiations, and marketing support.
• Operate from a remote/home office to manage a multi-state sales territory.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business or relative work experience
• 3+ years of sales experience
• Strong relationship building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Solid mathematical and analytical abilities.
• Forecasting and operations experience with regional or national accounts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (both internal and external).
• Superior organizational, managerial, and project management capabilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Willingness and ability to travel 40-50% of the time.