Regional Sales Director, Retail - Central

Idahoan Foods•Chicago, IL

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Regional Sales Director, Retail is accountable for developing and executing regional sales strategies that achieve volume, profit, and distribution objectives. The role leads customer engagement and broker performance, applies revenue management and category insights to drive growth, and ensures effective execution of pricing, promotion, assortment, and merchandising strategies aligned with Idahoan’s business goals.

Requirements

A degree from an accredited college/university plus 8-10 years’ experience in the CPG industry.
Exhibits effective written and verbal communication skills and possesses the ability to use language in a motivational manner.
Proficient is using Microsoft applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to organize and analyze the available data and make tough, informed win/win decisions in a timely manner. Demonstrates the self-confidence and maturity to make decisions and solve problems with minimal direction. Organized and able to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
Team player, flexible and accepts changing assignments and accountabilities.

Responsibilities

Owns the development and execution of annual regional sales plans aligned to corporate growth, profit, and distribution objectives. Translates enterprise strategy into customer‑specific plans that drive sustainable volume, margin, and share growth across assigned region/customers.
Leads pricing, promotion, assortment, shelving, and trade investment strategies in partnership with Sales Strategy, Customers, and Brokers. Applies revenue management principles to optimize price realization, promotional effectiveness, and mix, while balancing short‑term results with long‑term brand health.
Sets clear performance expectations for broker partners and holds them accountable through structured goals, KPIs, and regular performance reviews. Coaches and influences broker account teams to elevate selling capabilities, executional excellence, and strategic thinking across priority customers.
Leads strategic customer engagement, including Joint Business Planning for top 10 customers, line reviews, and growth discussions with regional and divisional retail decision makers. Builds strong, trusted relationships that position Idahoan as a value-added growth partner.
Works with category management to leverage consumer, shopper, and category insights to identify growth opportunities for customers and Idahoan. Ensures customers receive relevant, actionable recommendations that drive category and brand performance (What, So What, Now What).
Partners cross‑functionally with Marketing, Insights, and Supply Chain to influence product innovation, packaging, and merchandising strategies. Leads regional commercialization plans for new items, ensuring strong distribution, speed to market, and return on investment.
Uses sales data, forecasts, scorecards, and post‑event analysis to monitor performance, identify risks and opportunities, and adjust plans as needed. Communicates results, insights, and recommendations clearly to internal stakeholders and broker partners.
Leads regional trade promotion management, including promotion strategy, event planning, forecasting, and post‑event evaluation. Partners with brokers and customers to ensure promotions are aligned with pricing architecture, revenue management principles, and customer objectives. Accountable for trade spend effectiveness, return on investment, and executional compliance, using data and analytics to continuously improve promotional performance.