Zone Manager - Retail Operations - Retail Sales (Naperville, IL / Grand Rapids, MI)

Hormel•Naperville Park District, IL

About The Position

The Retail Zone Manager plays a critical role in executing our DSMPs (Distribution, Shelving, Merchandising, and Pricing). This individual will collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure strategic alignment and execution at the retail level. The role requires strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to manage communication across multiple retail touchpoints.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
5+ years of sales/marketing/sales strategy experience.
Pattern of initiative.
Highly developed interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment.
Strong persuasive skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent time management skills.
Ability to work independently.
Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require sponsorship for a work visa.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing third-party teams and broker relationships

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison between the Hormel headquarters selling team and the retail selling team to optimize execution.
Build and maintain strong relationships with retail brokers to leverage their expertise to deliver best in class retail execution.
Manage third-party retail selling teams, including selection, training, motivation, and performance management.
Track retail performance through various reporting platforms at the store/SKU level to support execution planning.
Support all aspects of the retail selling process, including:
Lead market evaluations and resulting action plans.
Measure compliance of merchandising plans.
Manage POP (Point of Purchase) execution in stores.
Planning and execution of retail surge projects.
Setting and evaluating third-party broker goals to support major initiatives.
Gathering and sharing market intelligence on competition, pricing, and new product launches.
Creating retail solutions and building rapport with customers at all levels.
Presenting at district and regional sales meetings.