School Nutrition Manager - GA

GSFoods•Pendergrass, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The School Nutrition Manager (SNM) is a business development position managing a current customer base while simultaneously developing and expanding the customer base in the assigned territory. Marketing the Gold Star Foods mission of exceptional service and innovation is the primary responsibility of each SNM. Daily activities include direct customer communication (in-person, virtual meeting environment, email, and phone interactions), collaboration with K-12 customer service, logistics, procurement, and vendors to ensure customer service expectations are met. Daily, weekly, and monthly activities will also include bid management in collaboration with the Gold Star Foods Revenue Management team. The SNM will plan and execute goals and objectives to promote profitably, while strengthening relationships throughout the distribution channel, as well as manage all aspects of the selling process while utilizing approved Gold Star Foods policies and procedures.

Requirements

Strong consultative selling and account management expertise
Ability to manage a territory as an independent business unit
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities
Ability to navigate complex RFP and procurement environments
Cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills
High level of organization, accountability, and follow-through
Must be proficient in the use of computers for Microsoft: Word, Excel PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent analytical skills
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
5+ years direct sales experience in the Foodservice Industry (K-12 School segment) is preferred.
Experience with school nutrition programs (NSLP, USDA Foods) strongly preferred
Proven track record of achieving sales growth and managing customer portfolios
Marketing experience is beneficial.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Marketing experience is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Own and execute the Territory Market Tactical Plan
Drive incremental case growth and budget attainment
Strengthen retention through structured account management cadence
Expand pipeline through new account acquisition and category growth
Serve as the primary escalation point and trusted advisor for assigned accounts
Deliver education and value-based selling aligned with K12 school nutrition programs
Develop and refine account profiles for the key customers within the geographic boundaries of assigned territory.
Develop annual goals and objectives and agree upon attainable metrics.
Customer focus against the execution of sales plans for each key customer on a semi-annual basis.
Conduct business review evaluations with customer accounts using analytics to create relevant reports and infographics.
Clearly communicate and relate the results to the customer.
Define strategies for improving customer service and increasing case movement based upon the outcome.
Interact on a regular basis through verbal and written communication with the EVP of Sales, regional manager (VP), SNM colleagues, K12 customer service, procurement, and Revenue Management team.
Utilizing approved Gold Star Foods RFP’s and bid documents, update/confirm vendor challenges.
Ensure all potential changes in programs/contracts are communicated to Vice President of Procurement and Vice President of Revenue Management.
Coordinate new product requests through accepted protocol.
Communicate new product/pricing requests to Procurement and Revenue Management in a timely manner.
Build and maintain detailed account profiles for all A and B accounts to support strategic planning and procurement readiness.
Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with internal leadership and stakeholders, providing updates on progress, risks, and opportunities.
Analyze territory performance, identify trends, and implement corrective actions to ensure goal attainment.
Maintain full ownership of territory communication, execution, and outcomes.
Execute structured touchpoint cadence for assigned accounts.
Lead business reviews with customers, leveraging analytics and insights to improve service and increase volume.
Proactively identify risks, service gaps, or competitive threats and coordinate resolution.
Serve as the primary relationship owner and escalation contact for all assigned accounts.
Ensure timely communication of Gold Star Foods updates, recalls, and program changes.
Partner with Customer Service (CX) and operations teams to deliver a high-quality, consistent customer experience.
Achieve territory revenue and case growth targets aligned to annual budget.
Manage and execute the full sales lifecycle, including complex procurement processes.
Lead structured pipeline development, including opportunity qualification and documentation coordinated with the Revenue Management team.
Evaluate procurement outcomes (win/loss) and refine strategy accordingly.
Ensure successful onboarding and implementation of awarded business.
Plan and deliver educational engagements.
Promote Gold Star Foods’ value messaging, including key initiatives such as Jump Start and operational efficiency programs.
Serve as a subject matter resource on school nutrition trends, USDA Foods, and operational best practices.
Support customers in maximizing USDA Foods utilization and program effectiveness.
Maintain a comprehensive calendar of local, regional, and national school nutrition events.
Actively participate in events by attending education sessions and scheduling 1:1 meetings with customers and prospects.
Complete post-event reporting and identify follow-up actions.
Represent Gold Star Foods professionally within industry associations and consider leadership or volunteer roles.
Plan weekly/monthly calendar utilizing Microsoft Outlook and execute market strategies based on effective planning efforts.
Attend meetings as required and providing timely report feedback.
Maintain accurate CRM records, including account updates, pipeline status, and customer interactions.
Manage individual expense accounts and ensure expenses stay within budget guidelines.
Represent Gold Star Foods in a professional and positive fashion at various customer conferences, seminars, and meetings.
Other duties as assigned.