Director of Sales, Kroger Corporate & East Retail (3182)

CARL BUDDIG GROUP•Tinley Park, IL

4d•$175,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Carl Buddig and Company, a respected name in the meat manufacturing industry, boasts a legacy of over 80 years. Founded as a family-owned company, we have evolved into a leading producer of premium meat products, including renowned lunchmeats, ready-to-eat cooked meats under our Kingsford, LLC division, and savory snack meats from Old Wisconsin. As a third-generation family business, our success is anchored in our commitment to quality, innovation, and community. With a workforce of 2,500 dedicated team members spread across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we continue to expand, driven by a vision for excellence and a responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences. At Carl Buddig and Company, we foster a culture centered around teamwork and innovation. We strive to create an environment that values creativity and collaboration, ensuring every team member is empowered to contribute to our collective goals. Our dedication extends beyond our business operations. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through direct contributions, volunteer work, and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the communities that have supported us over the years. Join us at Carl Buddig and Company, where tradition meets innovation, and where our passion for quality meat products is matched by our commitment to our people and communities. We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Director of Sales to lead our strategic partnership with Kroger Corporate while driving growth across the East Retail sales team. This critical leadership role manages the full Kroger relationship, including corporate headquarters engagement and divisional execution, while directly leading Senior Sales Managers and Sales Managers responsible for key chains and independent retailers across the East region. The ideal candidate is a seasoned CPG sales leader with deep experience in perishable categories such as deli, meat, dairy, fresh foods, center store, or front end. This individual will have a proven track record of growing business with Kroger and building strong cross-functional relationships at both the corporate and field levels.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Agriculture, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive CPG sales experience, including at least 5 years in perishable categories such as deli meats, proteins, fresh foods, or related departments.
Demonstrated experience developing and managing private label programs.
Strong broker management experience, including direction, accountability, and performance oversight.
Proven track record managing the Kroger account at the manufacturer or broker level.
5+ years of people leadership experience, with a history of coaching, developing, and managing high-performing sales teams.
Strong understanding of Kroger’s category management process, retail execution standards, and supply chain requirements for perishable items.
Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
Data-driven decision making with strong analytical and financial acumen.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, perishable-goods environment where service and freshness are paramount.
Outstanding team leadership and coaching abilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, retailer portals (Kroger), and syndicated data tools.
Willingness to travel 30-40% (Cincinnati + East Coast).

Nice To Haves

Current or recent experience with CPG, perishable goods, deli, meat, or protein-based companies.
Experience working with East Coast regional grocery chains, independent retailers, and broker networks.
Deep knowledge of deli, meat, and center store department operations, merchandising strategies, and retail execution expectations.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end relationship with Kroger Corporate buying and merchandising teams.
Develop and execute annual joint business plans that deliver mutually beneficial growth in sales, margin, distribution, and market share.
Lead category management initiatives, new item introductions, promotional planning, and supply chain collaboration for perishable deli and meat programs.
Negotiate national contracts, pricing agreements, and trade spend optimization.
Present quarterly business reviews and strategic initiatives to Kroger leadership.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing East Retail sales team, including Senior Sales Managers, Sales Managers, and broker partners.
Drive profitable sales growth across East retail channels, including regional grocery chains, independent retailers and club accounts such as Meijer, Publix, BJ’s, Wegmans, Ahold, Harris Teeter, and Lidl.
Ensure strong retail execution, including distribution, shelving, pricing, promotional compliance, and in-store merchandising standards.
Identify and capitalize on new distribution opportunities and incremental display programs.
Collaborate with Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and Operations to resolve issues and maximize service levels for perishable products.
Deliver annual sales budget and profit targets for Kroger and East Retail.
Develop accurate forecasts and manage trade spending, promotional ROI, and customer deductions.
Analyze syndicated data, customer POS, and market trends to identify growth opportunities.
Champion innovation by successfully launching new products and limited-time offerings.