Now Hiring - VP SALES in Hopkins, MN

Purpose: As the leader of the Brands+ Sales function, the Vice President Sales plays a key role in driving sales/delivering results across UNFI’s Private Brands $1.2B+ portfolio of brands to contribute to delivering our 2x Growth ambition. This role will oversee and develop a highly engaged sales team, drive a passionate selling model, build strategic customer selling capabilities, including develop joint business plans with customers, and champion a customer focused culture. The Vice President Sales is a key member of the Brands+ Operating team (Brand Management, Sales Strategy, Merchandising) and a cross functional leader. Responsible for achieving sales, share and EBITDA results through collaborative, working partnerships across the Brands+ Operating Team and the UNFI enterprise (region Sales and Merchandising teams).

• Focuses efforts and sales plans to achieve key financial metrics including annual Sales Goals, Gross Margin, EBITDA, Share, sales driving investments, expense control. Partners closely with key UNFI business owners to drive sales and share gains with existing and new customers. Monitors performance regularly, reinforce strategic priorities of the business, and develops actions Risks/Ops to mitigate where/if plans have risk.

• Leads selling team to develop strategic joint business plans for customers, delivering against key customer strategies and needs

• Allocate resources where investment has the highest payback and with initiatives of strategic importance

• Responsible for oversight of broker partner management

• Analyzes environment and competitive conditions, customer needs and market trends to influence longer term growth strategies and new business growth opportunities

• Provides leadership of Brands+ Sales, Customer and Region Segmentation Strategy and new Market Development / Affiliations strategies (in partnership with UNFI region sales)

• Communicates priorities, standards, and expectations with team

• Establishes clear sales goals, plans, metrics, and R&Os (as required), in partnership with Brands+ Sales Operations and Merchandising, to effectively plan, measure, and deliver results.

• Challenges team to exceed sales goals, improve processes

• Ensure the sales team provides proper and effective treatment of customers in compliance with all related governmental regulations

• Responsible for leading the Brands+ sales team to aggressively grow the portfolio and business, in line with LongRange and Annual Business Plan goals

• Leads, inspires, and coaches a diverse and inclusive team of sales associates, including capability building, succession planning, aspirational career planning, performance management and a growth mindset culture.

• Partner with Region Sales, HR and Learning & Development teams in building strategic selling capabilities and establishing effective individual development plans to increase knowledge and experience

• Participates in the stage gate process to provide insight from the customer standpoint into product design and pricing.

• Serves as a key member of the Brands+ Operating Team and leader within Brands+ including o

• Develops strong relationships across UNFI (region sales, region merchandising)

• Develops proactive relationships with customers, builds relationships, both vertically and horizontally, throughout the customer and influence to support and progress the UNFI Brands+ strategies.

• Supports the development of programs relative to customer strategies

• Cultivates and builds networks to gain industry knowledge which can lead to prospective sales

• Bachelor's degree, with preference for Business Administration, Sales, Marketing focuses

• A proven sales executive with 15+ years of CPG selling experience – progressive career leading the sales function and an established track record of delivering quantifiable results. Private Brands experience a strong asset

• Experience in leading diverse selling team, with a focus on building strategic selling capabilities Experience in developing and executing business plans and sales plans

• Experience with ownership of P&Ls required. Strong understanding of margin management and trade management

• Wholesale or Retail Experience preferred.

• Experience and knowledge of retail merchandising and operations. Working knowledge of sales forecasting, programs, promotional strategies.

• Experience in leading / actively participating in transformational change and growth strategies

• Exceptional leadership skills with proven experience managing a sales team as a change agent and a performance coach to develop talent to meet future business needs

• Results focused with track record of exceeding sales budgets

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and strong financial acumen

• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and drive results through analytics, experience and influencing

• Requires strong organization and follow-through skills and track record of planning, prioritizing, and executing projects

• Demonstrated leadership and ability to work with key stakeholders across the organization to drive business results

• Strong presentation skills with internal key business owners, customers, and executives

• Strong business acumen, superior analytical skills, and the ability to translate data into actionable insights and initiatives to drive top/bottom line growth

• Passion for selling

• Passion for building collaborative relationships and influence

• Listens before acting and promotes inclusion with all constituencies. Creates a culture of empowerment and accountability

• Travel up to 50% may be required

Additional Information

• Company Name: UNFI Wholesale Inc.
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Indicator: Remote

Compensation

• Pay Range: $160400.00 - $259500.00 Annually ($77.12 - $124.76 Hourly)
• Other Compensation: Long Term Incentive and Bonus Eligible