Chief Sales Officer

• Develop and execute the retail perimeter sales strategy to achieve revenue, profitability, distribution, and market share goals
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing approximately 20-person retail sales organization, including regional leaders, sales managers, and broker partners
• Build and strengthen executive-level relationships with national and regional grocery, specialty, and independent retail accounts, including deli, bakery, cheese, prepared foods, and specialty category decision-makers
• Identify new business opportunities, retail partnerships, and channel expansion strategies for perimeter products
• Negotiate pricing, customer agreements, promotional programs, and annual business plans that support profitable growth in perimeter categories
• Partner cross-functionally with marketing, supply chain, procurement, business development, and operations to support product launches, merchandising programs, and retail execution
• Analyze sales performance, market trends, competitive activity, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities
• Develop sales budgets, forecasts, and strategic business plans
• Monitor key performance indicators, including revenue growth, profit margin, distribution gains, promotional effectiveness, and customer profitability
• Lead trade planning, promotional strategy, merchandising execution, and category growth initiatives for assigned categories
• Represent the company at trade shows, customer meetings, and business development events

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Sales, Management, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 15+ years of progressive sales leadership experience in specialty foods, deli, cheese, bakery, food import, CPG, food manufacturing, or consumer products
• 7 - 10+ years of executive-level experience leading national or multi-regional retail sales organizations, preferably within retail perimeter or specialty food channels
• Knowledge of retail perimeter categories, including deli, cheese, bakery, specialty foods, and related fresh or prepared food departments
• Experience developing retailer-specific sales, merchandising, promotional, and category programs for specialty and perishable food categories
• Strong financial and business acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, and sales analytics
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing sales teams with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Proficiency with MS Office and SalesForce; Infor M3 a plus
• Experience with syndicated market data platforms such as NielsenIQ, SPINS, or IRI/Circana
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 35%
• Experience with imported food products is preferred
• Established relationships with major grocery retailers, specialty retail chains, and deli, bakery, cheese, or specialty food category buyers
• Experience managing broker networks, distributors, and third-party sales agencies
• Knowledge of private label development, branded consumer products, and specialty perimeter merchandising programs
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, and results-oriented approach to challenges and opportunities
• Strong analytical abilities with the ability to problem-solve, prioritize, and make sound decisions in complex environments
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and collaborative with a strong work ethic.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing retail perimeter sales strategies, leading high-performing sales teams, and building executive-level relationships within the specialty food industry. Proficient in financial management, sales analytics, and cross-functional collaboration to drive growth and profitability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Retail Perimeter Sales Strategy
• Sales Leadership
• Financial Acumen
• Relationship Building
• Sales Analytics

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Sales Strategy Development
• Budgeting
• Forecasting
• P&L Management
• Merchandising Programs
• Promotional Strategy
• Category Management
• Retail Partnerships
• Negotiation
• Market Analysis

Soft Skills

• Coaching
• Communication
• Presentation
• Problem-Solving
• Collaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• MBA or Advanced Degree Preferred

Industry Keywords

• Specialty Foods
• Deli
• Cheese
• Bakery
• Food Import
• CPG
• Food Manufacturing
• Consumer Products
• Private Label Development
• Retail Execution

Tools & Technologies

• MS Office
• SalesForce
• NielsenIQ
• SPINS
• IRI/Circana
• Infor M3