Regional Sales Director, Food Manufacturing & Foodservice

Our client is an established food manufacturer seeking a highly motivated, results-driven Regional Sales Director to expand its presence throughout the Western United States.

This is an excellent opportunity for a sales professional with experience in the food industry who enjoys developing new business, building relationships, and growing a territory.

The company is looking for a true hunter who can identify opportunities, develop relationships with distributors and end customers, and generate new revenue.

While the primary focus will be new business development, the Regional Sales Director will inherit some existing accounts and established relationships to help accelerate growth.

The ideal candidate is energetic, professional, relationship-oriented, and comfortable working independently across a large geographic territory.

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development

• Identify, prospect, and develop new business opportunities throughout the assigned Western U.S. territory.
• Generate new sales through proactive outreach, networking, referrals, and in-person customer meetings.
• Build relationships with foodservice operators, convenience stores, retailers, and other potential customers.
• Develop and execute territory sales plans designed to increase revenue and market penetration.
• Prepare and deliver sales presentations, proposals, and customer agreements.
• Manage the entire sales process, from initial prospecting through closing and ongoing account development.

Distributor, Broker & Customer Relationships

• Establish and strengthen relationships with regional and national foodservice distributors.
• Develop productive partnerships with food brokers and other channel partners.
• Build relationships with Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) and key foodservice accounts.
• Identify opportunities with organizations such as Compass Group, Aramark, Sodexo, Canteen, and other major foodservice operators.
• Maintain and grow existing customer relationships while identifying opportunities to expand product penetration.
• Serve as a trusted resource to customers by understanding their needs and recommending appropriate solutions.

Territory & Account Management

• Manage sales activities across the assigned Western U.S. territory.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified prospects.
• Track sales activity, customer opportunities, revenue performance, and progress toward goals.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure customer satisfaction and successful product delivery.
• Resolve customer concerns and maintain strong relationships.
• Participate in relevant industry trade shows, conferences, and networking events.
• Communicate market trends, competitive intelligence, and customer feedback to company leadership.
• Support company food safety, quality, and SQF initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Proven success in outside sales, business development, or territory sales.
• Experience selling within the food industry, including food manufacturing, foodservice, convenience stores, restaurants, retail, or related channels.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, develop relationships, and generate new business.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong desire to succeed.
• Ability to manage a large geographic territory independently.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50%, including overnight travel.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selling food products through distributors, brokers, or directly to end customers.
• Established relationships with foodservice distributors, convenience store operators, restaurant groups, or GPOs.
• Familiarity with organizations such as Compass Group, Aramark, Sodexo, and Canteen.
• Experience working for a food manufacturer or selling manufactured food products.
• Experience developing new territories or expanding underpenetrated markets.
• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field.

Compensation & Benefits

• Guaranteed First-Year Compensation: $110,000-$130,000, consisting of a $60,000-$80,000 base salary plus a $50,000 commission guarantee.
• Commission Structure: 1% of sales, with uncapped earning potential.
• Long-Term Earnings: Opportunity to earn $150,000 to $200,000+ as the territory develops and sales increase.
• Travel: Company-supported travel budget for customer visits, territory development, and industry events.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Established Company: Join a food manufacturer with an experienced, stable sales organization.
• Strong Employee Retention: The sales team has experienced no turnover in nine years.
• Existing Relationships: Inherit select accounts and benefit from introductions to established customers and channel partners.
• New Business Opportunities: Capitalize on an existing pipeline of potential customers and opportunities.
• Uncapped Earning Potential: Build a territory that can generate substantial long-term commission income.
• Autonomy: Manage your territory, develop your own relationships, and take ownership of your results.
• Supportive Leadership: Work with an organization that values leadership, honesty, accountability, teamwork, and excellence.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who enjoys the challenge of developing new business and wants to build a successful, long-term sales career.

You don't need to have spent your entire career in food manufacturing, but you should understand the food industry, be comfortable developing relationships, and have a proven ability to generate sales.

The right individual will bring energy, professionalism, persistence, and a genuine desire to build something meaningful.