Director of Sales

Responsibilities Develop and execute sales strategies that align client objectives with Kroger priorities and Bluebird's growth goals Lead annual business planning, forecasting, promotional planning, and execution across a portfolio of 5–8 CPG clients Lead Kroger Kompass (New Item Meetings) and develop plans that support successful item launches, assortment expansion, and distribution growth Oversee promotional planning, sales strategies, trade fund management, and execution of Kroger's Divisional Sales Merchandising Plan (DSMP) Identify emerging categories, market trends, and new business opportunities to expand client distribution, sales, and market share at Kroger Partner with clients and internal teams to execute growth strategies across both in‑store and digital channels Serve as the primary relationship owner for a portfolio of CPG manufacturer clients Build and strengthen relationships with Kroger category managers, process managers, buying teams, and other key stakeholders Provide strategic direction and recommendations that support revenue growth, profitability, assortment expansion, and market share gains Negotiate with both clients and Kroger to maximize growth, profitability, and overall business performance Align client objectives with Kroger priorities to drive long‑term growth and execution success Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the Kroger ecosystem, focusing on expanding Bluebird's client portfolio and retail presence Leverage industry relationships, networking opportunities, trade shows, and market insights to generate new client opportunities Help emerging and established brands secure placement, gain distribution, and accelerate growth at Kroger Develop and present growth strategies that demonstrate Bluebird's value across sales, analytics, eCommerce, and omnichannel execution Stay current on CPG trends, Kroger priorities, competitive activity, and category dynamics Leverage 84.51, Circana (IRI), Nielsen,

SPINS

, and other syndicated data sources to identify opportunities and inform business strategy Analyze category performance, shopper insights, and sales trends to support retailer and client decision‑making Translate data into actionable recommendations that drive growth and strengthen retailer relationships Partner closely with supply chain, operations, and logistics teams to maintain strong service levels, in‑stock performance, and execution Collaborate with finance teams on forecasting, trade spend management, budget accountability, and profitability objectives Support innovation pipeline planning and retailer‑specific execution requirements Partner with internal teams to ensure business plans are executed effectively across retail and eCommerce channels Support issue escalation and resolution to maintain strong account health and retailer relationships Monitor sales performance, forecasts, and key business metrics across a portfolio of 5–8 client accounts Identify risks, opportunities, and business trends to inform strategic recommendations Provide regular sales forecasts, business updates, and client status reports to leadership Prepare and present category reviews, performance summaries, and business updates to clients and retail partners Analyze sales metrics and KPIs to optimize account performance, profitability, and long‑term growth Requirements 15+ years of progressive experience in CPG sales, including broker, manufacturer, retailer, or commerce organization experience 5+ years of direct experience calling on Kroger and managing retailer relationships Strong relationships within Kroger and experience working directly with category managers, process managers, and merchant teams Proven success leading client relationships and driving business growth across multiple accounts Experience managing multiple brands, categories, or client portfolios Experience developing and executing retailer‑specific growth strategies across both in‑store and digital channels Previous broker experience representing multiple CPG brands preferred Core Competencies Demonstrates extensive experience in CPG sales, particularly in managing retailer relationships and executing growth strategies across in‑store and digital channels. Proven ability to analyze market trends, leverage data insights, and drive business performance for a portfolio of clients. Tools & Technologies 84.51 Circana (IRI) Nielsen SPINS #J-18808-Ljbffr Jobtailor