Sales Director

**Job Summary** The **Sales Director – East** is responsible for driving profitable sales growth across the Eastern region through effective leadership of a Direct Store Delivery (DSD) distributor network and a team of direct reports. This role owns regional execution, distributor performance, retailer relationships, and people development while ensuring alignment with company objectives. The ideal candidate brings strong DSD experience in snacks or beverage, a passion for building teams, and a hands‑on, field‑focused approach to regional selling. **Key Responsibilities** Regional Sales Strategy \& Execution * Develop and execute a comprehensive regional sales strategy to achieve volume, revenue, and profit targets across the Eastern region. * Translate national sales priorities into actionable regional plans that drive distribution gains, merchandising excellence, and velocity improvement. * Analyze regional performance metrics and adjust tactics to exceed business objectives. **DSD Distributor Network Management** * Manage, lead, and optimize a network of DSD distributors across the East, ensuring strong execution against distribution, pricing, promotion, and merchandising standards. * Lead regular distributor business reviews to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and address gaps. * Partner with distributors on route productivity, salesperson incentives, and executional excellence in store. * Ensure compliance with distributor agreements and company expectations. **Retail Customer Management** * Call on key **regional and select national retailers** to build relationships, secure distribution, execute promotions, and grow shelf presence. * Collaborate with distributor sales teams on top‑to‑top meetings and joint business planning. * Monitor competitive activity and retailer trends to inform regional selling strategies. **Team Leadership \& Development** * Inspire, coach, train, and develop a high‑performing team of direct reports, including Regional Sales Managers and Field Sales personnel. * Set clear goals and expectations, conduct performance reviews, and create development plans to build bench strength and retention. * Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Forecasting, Reporting \& Cross‑Functional Collaboration * Own regional forecasting and contribute to demand planning to support strong service levels and inventory management. * Provide accurate and timely sales reporting and insights to senior leadership. * Partner cross‑functionally with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Category Management to support regional initiatives and execution. **Qualifications \& Experience** * **Minimum of 5 years of experience** working with **DSD distributors** in the **snack or beverage** industry. * Proven success managing a DSD distributor network and driving measurable sales growth. * Strong experience calling on **regional retailers** and executing regional sales strategies. * Demonstrated ability to **inspire, coach, and develop** a team of direct reports. * Strong analytical, negotiation, and presentation skills. **Travel Requirements** * **Travel expectation of 50% or more** , primarily within the Eastern region, including frequent time in the field with distributor partners, retail customers, and direct reports. **Preferred Attributes** * Hands‑on, field‑oriented leader with a strong understanding of DSD execution fundamentals. * Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long‑term growth and short‑term execution. * Excellent communicator with the ability to influence distributors, retailers, and internal stakeholders.