Regional Sales Manager-Central

Regional Sales Manager-CENTRAL DIVISION

Heartland Food Products Group | U.S. Field-Based (Region Aligned)

We are seeking a Regional Sales Manager (RSM) to lead a hybrid direct and national sales agency model within an assigned region. This role is accountable for delivering regional KPIs through a combination of direct retailer engagement and sales agency leadership, and serves as the primary face of Heartland for regional retailer calls and field-level relationships.

This role requires a confident, externally facing sales leader who can influence retailers directly, set clear direction for agency partners, and translate national strategy into consistent in-market results.

What You'll Do

Retailer Leadership & Direct Customer Engagement

Serve as the primary Heartland representative for regional retailer calls and field-level customer relationships

Lead retailer meetings focused on execution, distribution, merchandising, promotions, and issue resolution

Reinforce Heartland's brand strategies, selling stories, and expectations directly with retail partners

Sales Agency Leadership

Direct and lead Heartland's national sales agency partner within the assigned region

Set clear priorities, expectations, and KPIs for agency teams

Ensure strong alignment between Heartland and agency leadership on goals, programs, and execution standards

Drive accountability through regular performance reviews, market visits, and ride-alongs

Executional Excellence & KPI Delivery

Own regional execution KPIs including distribution, shelving, pricing, displays, voids, promotional compliance, and resets

Ensure flawless execution of innovation launches, seasonal programs, and national initiatives

Validate in-store performance through store audits, field feedback, and data analysis

Performance Tracking, Reporting & Insights

Own regional scorecards and dashboards tied to defined KPIs

Analyze execution data and retailer feedback to identify trends, risks, and opportunities

Communicate clear, actionable insights and corrective actions to internal stakeholders and agency partners

Cross-Functional Partnership

Act as the field execution liaison between retailers, sales agencies, and internal teams (National Accounts, Marketing, Category Management, Supply Chain)

Provide field input into customer strategies, innovation readiness, and go-to-market planning

Ensure agency and field readiness for new items, resets, and promotional programs

Training, Communication & Capability Building

Lead onboarding and ongoing training for agency teams on Heartland's brands, tools, and priorities

Deliver consistent communication to the field, reinforcing focus and executional discipline

Share best practices and wins across regions

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required

7+ years of CPG sales or field sales leadership experience

Proven experience operating in a hybrid direct / sales agency model

Strong capability and confidence leading direct retailer calls and representing the manufacturer

Deep understanding of retail execution, selling fundamentals, and KPI management

Ability to influence, align, and drive results without sole reliance on direct authority

Willingness to travel extensively within assigned region

Preferred Experience

Experience supporting national brand portfolios across multiple retail channels

Familiarity with retail execution tools, store audit platforms, and field reporting systems

Experience partnering closely with National Account Managers and category teams

Key Competencies

Strong external presence and customer credibility

Clear, decisive leader with an accountability mindset

Execution-focused with high attention to detail

Data-driven problem solver who turns insights into action

Collaborative partner who builds trust with retailers, agencies, and internal teams