Director of Retail (Manhattan)

Director of Retail

Pepsi-Cola of Marysville, KS is a family-owned independent bottling operation seeking a new Director of Retail. Candidate must be willing to relocate to our seven-county franchise footprint, preferably to Manhattan, KS.

Position Summary

The Director of Retail is responsible for leading the sales efforts of our franchise and strengthening relationships with the retail customers we serve. This is a hands-on leadership position combining key account management, sales planning, customer development, and in-market execution.

The Director of Sales will personally manage relationships with major retail accounts—including Walmart, Kroger, Hy-Vee and Target—as well as independent grocery stores, convenience stores, and other important local customers. The successful candidate will understand the beverage business, be comfortable working directly with customers and employees, and take ownership of both sales results and day-to-day execution.

Primary Responsibilities

Manage and develop relationships with major retail accounts.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for account decision-makers, store managers, buyers, and other customer representatives.
• Negotiate pricing, promotional programs, display activity, product placement, and other account-specific sales opportunities.
• Ensure that customer agreements, promotional commitments, pricing programs, and merchandising standards are properly communicated and executed.
• Identify opportunities to expand product distribution, introduce new products, improve shelf position, and secure additional display space.
• Work closely with route sales, merchandising, delivery, warehouse, and administrative personnel to provide dependable customer service and resolve issues promptly.
• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and accountability to members of the sales team.
• Assist with the development of retail pricing strategies
• Visit customer locations regularly to evaluate product availability, displays, pricing, merchandising, equipment, and overall execution.
• Address customer concerns and coordinate solutions with the appropriate company departments.
• Perform other sales and management responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Prior sales, account-management, or beverage-industry experience is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, management, or a related field is preferred but may be substituted with relevant industry and management experience.
• Experience working with grocery, convenience, mass-merchandise, foodservice, or consumer packaged goods accounts is beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to build long-term customer relationships and negotiate effectively.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance customer needs with company sales and profitability objectives.
• Ability to analyze sales information and use it to make sound business decisions.
• Comfortable working in both an office environment and regularly in the marketplace.
• Proficiency with email, spreadsheets, presentations, and sales-reporting systems.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel regularly throughout the franchise territory.

Compensation

Compensation will be based on the candidate’s beverage-industry experience, sales background, and demonstrated ability to manage key customer relationships.

• Starting base salary: approximately $70,000 per year
• Performance-based bonus opportunity of 30% of base salary.
• Company-provided vehicle for business and authorized personal use, with fuel and routine operating expenses paid by the company
• Benefits available include health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured through a combination of:

• Sales volume and revenue growth
• Customer retention and satisfaction
• Promotional and merchandising execution
• Development and performance of the sales team
• Communication and cooperation with operations, delivery, warehouse, and administrative departments

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position requiring regular customer visits and travel throughout the company’s franchise territory. The position may occasionally require early-morning, evening, or weekend availability to address customer needs, special events, or important sales opportunities.