Regional Sales Manager

**Regional Sales Manager** **Heartland Food Products Group \| U.S. Field\-Based (SOUTHEAST REGION)** 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. **\*\*CANDIDATE MUST LIVE NEAR A MAJOR AIRPORT FOR THE EASE OF TRAVELING\*\*** \-\-\- **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