Job Description

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors, and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation, and the power of food to bring people together.

We’re seeking an Area Sales & Distribution Manager to lead a high-performing sales and distribution team serving the Hayward, CA and the surrounding Northern CA markets. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys being in the field, and is driven to deliver results through strong people leadership, operational excellence, and customer-focused execution.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and develop your team through recruiting, hiring, training, performance coaching, and ongoing development, ensuring alignment with company mission, values, ethics, and conduct standards
• Drive sales and customer success by guiding your team to meet sales and distribution goals, maximize in-store opportunities, and deliver strong merchandising, promotional execution, and exceptional service to retail partners
• Oversee distribution operations including truck utilization, dynamic routing, fleet maintenance, Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance, and pre-trip/post-trip execution
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance by enforcing all company safety practices and DOT guidelines across the team
• Monitor business performance by reviewing team metrics, analyzing sales and distribution data, and providing insights to support strategic decisions and continuous improvement
• Prepare and present reports to leadership, including financial, operational, and key performance indicators
• Maintain field presence by riding with your team at least three days per week to coach, support execution, and understand market needs; role includes some overnight travel

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in sales, sales operations, distribution, or related leadership roles
• Ability to meet Federal DOT medical certification requirements
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) from the state of residence to operate a commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or greater
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Strong time-management and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Prior Direct Store Delivery (DSD) or food industry experience
• Experience presenting and influencing in group settings

What We Offer:

• Competitive total rewards benefits package
  • Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and a 401(k) with company match
• A growing company with strong, recognizable brands
• Opportunities for advancement

The base salary range for this position is $68,000 - $113,000 annually with eligibility for a 20% annual incentive bonus, which is based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email career.search@schwans.com

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