Job Purpose:

The District Sales Manager (DSM) oversees field sales execution to achieve company sales, spending, and expense objectives. The DSM plans, organizes, manages, directs, and controls the sales activities for a group of Key Accounts to maximize sales and profits. The DSM will be responsible for managing a team of field sales professionals to reach their targeted goals. This individual will maintain excellent business relations with customers to identify and meet the needs of Foothills Creamery and the customer to achieve common objectives.

What You’ll Do:

• Implement a Sales & Marketing strategy within the Sales department to align the direction of the department to company objectives
• Work with each Territory Sales Manager to develop a specific plan to meet the needs of their prescribed sales territory
• Acquire and manage Food Service Accounts; present new products, product line extensions, thematic programs, and any other promotions
• Motivate the Sales & Customer Service teams and any departments impacting customer service to ensure quality of service is upheld
• Support the Sales & Customer Service teams and provide leadership, coaching, and motivation to them to achieve sales targets
• Create call cycle requirements to ensure coverage of Sales representatives optimizes account opportunities while servicing all accounts
• Meet with the Sales team to coordinate and approve the sales volume, product distribution, placement, pricing, and promotion targets by territory
• Collaborate with internal departments (Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Production, Warehouses, Transportation, & Accounting) to ensure a postive customer experience
• Ensure the DSD delivery schedules meet the requirements of the accounts as suggested by Sales team
• Build and maintain strong relationships with major accounts of Foothills Creamery and negotiate agreements when required
• Manage and present to Retail Key Accounts on new products, product line extensions, thematic programs, and any other promotions
• Develop marketing plans and shelf layouts that optimize space allocated to company products through the plan-o-grams defined for each banner
• Regularly visit customers to ensure promotions and category price structures are properly applied and communicate results to management and appropriate individuals
• Identify new market & business opportunities (store openings, etc.) and present appropriate, succinct business cases to garner positive sales and margin growth
• Manage information on the competition (promotions, new products, etc.) and work with Marketing to develop strategies to help neutralize competition initiatives
• Analyze promotion results and gauge the impact on future business development
• Maintain a knowledge of consumer, competitor, and market trends
• Provide required reporting on weekly, monthly, and quarterly performance

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Marketing preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods industry
• Manufacturing and logistics operation experience is an asset
• 3 years experience of People Management
• Ability for frequent travel (20%) throughout Western Canada
• Familiarity with Retail, Food Service, Industrial, and Distributor customer operations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office – advanced knowledge in Excel
• Familiarity with ERP systems – knowledge of SAGE and Power BI is an asset
• Understanding of online ordering systems

What You’ll Bring:

• Demonstrated ability to use metrics and data to support forecasting, strategic analysis, and decision making
• Engaging level of enthusiasm
• Positive team management; particularly that of staff motivation and development
• Show ability and willingness to change as needed and gain commitment from others to make appropriate and positive change
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Analytical capability to identify issues, determine solutions, and execute solutions
• Professionalism at a level in which integrity and ethics are consistently upheld

Foothills Creamery Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all candidates for their interest in Foothills Creamery Ltd. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you.