Background on the Position:

After completing its first official fundraise with two leading VCs, Stone & Skillet is embarking on building a Team and is poised to expand faster across multiple channels with emphasis in its core of bakery department retail distribution. Reporting to the CEO/Co-Founder, the VP of Sales is an integral part of a small team and is responsible for advancing the company to the next level of responsible growth with existing distribution and select new business. The VP of Sales is primarily accountable for the development and execution of the Company’s long and short-term business plans to achieve growth and ROI goals approved by the CEO and Investors/Advisors. This is truly a ground floor career opportunity and this hire will be a critical contributor to Stone & Skillet’s growth.

Responsibilities:

• Help secure aligned priority key customer meetings, cross-functional account meetings, and top to top meetings and guide content for presentation.
• Work closely with Co-Founder/CEO, who is a lead authentic voice in front of all top retailer meetings.
• Build on Northeast distribution foundation and become a market share leader in key accounts with lead broker and field/instore support: Whole Foods (local), Hannaford, Market Basket, Big Y, Roche Bros, Wegmans, Star Market, Stop & Shop.
• Build and maintain direct relationships with key retailers across the country. Call and sell directly to key accounts and help guide decisions on outside brokers/merchandiser partners and future channel staffing needs.
• Manage and hire select broker partners to call on accounts for new placement and to continue managing the relationship with existing accounts.
• Evaluate instore opportunities and ensure third-party partners are delivering on KPI’s and meeting business needs. Secure ideal shelf placement of Stone & Skillet products and solve its challenges of top item out of stocks.
• Manage distributor network, ensure product is in stock, manage sell thru, pricing accuracy etc.
• Negotiate pricing and SKU mix with distributors/retailers. Negotiate trade spend programming and customer marketing to optimize ROI and maintain premium brand status across multiple retailers.
• Monitor retailer account performance utilizing distributor and syndicated data. Develop action plans to increase distribution, drive velocity, and improve pricing/promotional strategy
• Work closely with CFO to ensure a coordinated approach to customer fulfillment at the lowest possible delivered net cost.
• Work with trade director and CFO to review trade spend management and deduction review. Develop and provide accurate forecasts and lead the S&OP process with strong Trade processes.
• Hit key sales targets: $, units, velocity, trade spend, stores, forecast accuracy, ACV, etc., while being fully aligned with the broader Company mission and financial objectives.
• Represent the company at trade shows such as Expo West, IDDBA, and select distributor shows. Promote positive relations with partners, vendors, and distributors

Experience:

• Bachelors degree with minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience managing Sales in emerging brand CPG with history of calling on major retailers and distributors across Natural and Conventional Grocery, etc.
• Must have access to bakery department buyers and broker relationships on a national scale. History of calling on major retailers in fresh perimeter bakery
• Must have proven successful experience with founder-led, early-state business
• Must have bakery department and natural and conventional grocery experience. Experience with Foodservice, E-tailers, and Club a bonus.
• Experience managing broker network, agencies, distributors, and working closely with internal team.
• Must possess demonstrated leadership and delivery of consistently strong results
• Experience with IRI/Nielsen/SPINS databases

Skills/Personal:

• Scrappy, “roll up sleeves” and “make it happen” operator with a strong sense of urgency and focus on results.
• Must be self-motivated and proactive. Willing to do whatever it takes and adaptable to bootstrap needs. Experience working with founders and comfortable in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Resilient, self-motivated and able to work well (maintain positive outlook) under pressure.
• Seasoned and polished professional with a dynamic personality and the ability to encourage teamwork. Natural team player.
• Strong organization skills. Confidence in communications.
• Internal and external relationship management, team building, and negotiation skills.
• Proficient computer skills with powerpoint, excel, and word. Good written and verbal communication and creative problem-solving skills, be able to work in a team environment, and be customer/market oriented
• Willing to travel 50% of the time

Company Salary & Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Strong benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k)
• Fun and collaborative team culture with high growth phase excitement