Our client is one of the world's leading growers, importers, marketers, and distributors of premium-quality produce grown in diverse locations throughout Latin America.
Theirs is a vertically integrated supply chain, with worldwide distribution capabilities. Consistent quality is the basis for the company's growth and success. Additionally, the trade knows the brand for food safety, traceability, environmental responsibility, and social accountability.
Unusual and unyielding dedication to their customer's needs and satisfaction sets them apart from their competitors. It's established their solid, long-term relationships and earned them the reputation they are most proud of.
They are farmers as well as businessmen. They are experienced, consistent, and fair. “Our word is our bond and we believe a handshake means more than a contract,” in the words of their president. As a matter of fact, their first contract was written on a napkin….and 15 years later it still stands strong.
As they continue to drive their business forward and into the next generation, they’re seeking a strong leader to guide a dedicated sales team and mentor them to the next level.
The VP of Sales plays a key role in leading and managing the activities of the sales team. The ideal candidate will quickly develop relationships with customers and growers, collaborate with their team, and ensure optimum customer contact, support, and happiness while making it a priority also to take care of the growers through strong returns. They are not seeking a “change agent,” but rather a true leader who is going to help take their team and business from good to great and beyond.
This is a long-term opportunity in which to hang your hat and build your career in a successful company where each team member is able to make an impact on the company’s performance. Accomplished professionals who share their love of produce will have the opportunity to mentor and develop a committed team while also building their own careers with room for further growth.
- Manages performance of direct reports through effective and timely coaching, setting of annual objectives, and midterm and annual performance discussions with counseling as required.
- Recruit, train, develop and retain sales talent.
- Provide day-to-day oversight and management of the sales team through the assignment of responsibilities, accounts, and leads.
- Improves team member performance through teaching team members best practices for developing sales plans, implementing strategies to achieve targets including building metrics for decision-making tools, building effective presentations, and executing effective negotiations and pricing strategies with customers.
- Consistently meets with the team to ensure the team has knowledge of all product offerings and/or services to present to customers and has the information needed to be credible with customers.
- Dedicates time to managing team member success individually and in team format serving as subject matter expert in the industry relating to pricing and expenses.
- Build and Execute our annual Sales Plan focused on price, cost, profit, and service.
- Create and develop a strategic and tactical 2-3 year plan for increasing total sales volume.
- Establish growth targets while aligning the company's operational plan and business objectives.
- Proactively achieve sales and profit goals by evaluating and responding to the changing needs of customers.
- Manage expenses with a focus on profit margin.
- Develop the bottom 10% of customers annually through pricing and/or replacing them.
- Develop additional key customers with a partnership/program mindset.
- Maintain and develop exceptional customer relationships.
- Develop sales presentations and marketing materials for category development.
- Develops and measures quarterly and annual sales goals and strategies.
- Track sales performance, KPI’s and processes (preferably in a CRM).
- Monitor competitors’ pricing and marketing efforts.
- Monitors and delivers sales reports weekly, monthly, quarterly, and YTD.
- Maintains relationships with customers and understands customer cultures, decision-makers, and operating philosophies.
- Representation at various conferences, trade shows, and associations.
- 10+ years of sales and leadership experience in the produce industry.
- Infectious positive, motivating, and mentoring leader that people want to work with.
- Consistent and proven track record of success in developing relationships with and selling to retail, wholesale, and/or foodservice customers.
- Highly knowledgeable about the latest consumer trends in produce and food.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to make sound decisions and solve problems in a confident, decisive manner.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Forward-thinking utilizing past experience and new technological advances within the industry.
- Excellent reputation within the industry.
- Ability to treat every team member within the company with the utmost respect.
- Highly organized with the ability to strategically lead the company and team forward.
- Knowledge of branding and the ability to translate the corporate story into the value proposition of each targeted consumer group.
- Bilingual preferred
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
This Job has a $1,000 Referral Reward!
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If you would like to discuss this job opportunity in 100% confidentiality with a Joe Produce Search Consultant, please call Recruiting at 855-563-7763, or email recruiting@joeproduce.com |
