Job Description

Role Summary:

The Regional Sales Manager (TX, OK, KS, CO, AL) is responsible for driving sales performance and market growth within a defined geographic region while building strong, sustainable partnerships with all stakeholders. This role is responsible for developing strategic plans to meet revenue targets, drive new store acquisitions, manage multi-customer portfolios, and manage a strong retail engagement in the market. The role will also analyze market trends, identify areas of opportunity and ensure alignment to overall sales strategy.

Role Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Retail Partner Account Management

• Develop and execute regional sales strategies that align with national objectives and overall company business plan including value-added site visits of at least 20 stores per week.
• Establish and grow independent retail partner accounts in assigned regions inclusive of regional and national key multi-unit accounts with a key focus on creating long-lasting relationships with clients, distributors and partners.
• Ensure all Vital Essentials product categories are represented in the retail partner stores.
• Educate and train retail partners on Vital Essentials products to support healthy pets while ensuring alignment with needs and demands of the pet industry.
• Effectively reengage with former retail partners to introduce new Vital Essentials with goal of relaunching in the retail space.
• Proactively strategize account management to achieve sales metrics and targets with corrective plan for any deviations.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and areas of growth opportunities with a plan of action to meet the changes.
• Manage budget and spend on trade and other business-related expenses to ensure value-added costs with profitable growth.
• Promote and manage national programs and engage retailers in such programs (Astro Loyalty, Astro Offers, LMS, etc.)
• Secure effective merchandising and placement of products in all stores.

Distributor Representative Management

• Develop strategy for distributor partnerships at a regional level that aligns with national objectives.
• Analyze distributor data for opportunities and strategize with distributor key account managers to open new regional key account businesses.
• Independently train and present business reviews and opportunities for distributor sales meetings and presentations.
• Develop working relationships with distributor territory managers to become the number one brand recommended in the region.
• Partner with distributor representatives to target accounts and develop mutual plans to secure orders and placement
• Attend distributor events and open houses in assigned region.
• Forecast accurate inventory levels to ensure distributor warehouse has in-stock products.

Other Duties

• Collaborate with internal teams such as Brand, eCommerce, and other departments to ensure end-to-end management of sales to distribution.
• Coach, lead, and mentor other Vital Essential Regional Sales Managers and learn from other successes on the team
• Support and attend events including demos, sampling, and offsite activities.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in sales, marketing, business administration or related field (required)
• 3+ years of experience in the independent pet specialty channel working with distributors to expand rooftops and item penetration, preferably with a high growth pet food brand or distributor (required)
• Experience in multi-region or expanded territory sales management while leading a team of direct sales managers (preferred)

Skills and Abilities:

A successful Regional Sales Manager will:

• Have proven experience and skills in sales leadership, preferably in the pet food industry.
• Effectively be able to provide solutions tailored to retailer's market dynamics.
• Be confident when interacting with senior leaders on regional chain accounts.
• Have a basic understanding of retail operations, planogram compliance, customer engagement strategies, and account management.
• Be an excellent communicator with strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Work independently and manage time efficiently.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with retail merchandising software is preferred.
• Have a passion for pets and pet products is highly desirable.
• Be able to travel at least 50% of the time and up to 90% of the time while maintaining a valid driver’s license

Frequent travel to support customers, distributors, trade shows, and business meetings. Local and national travel is required, including overnight travel as business needs dictate. .