Area Manager Buffalo/Rochester, NY Area

River Valley Foods Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability Insurance

Flexible Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

401(k) & Roth IRA with company match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Purchase Program

Car Allowance

Job summary

River Valley Holdings in Syracuse, NY, seeks an Area Manager to drive profitability across Buffalo and Rochester markets. You will lead a team of Retail Sales Representatives and Merchandisers, ensure top-tier service, and manage routes with a focus on merchandising, training, and market competitiveness.

The role requires 5+ years in grocery or specialty foods, strong leadership, and travel readiness. Reports to Field Operations Manager and offers a robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years Grocery and/or specialty foods industry experience.
• Able to travel and cover stores within assigned territory.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Capable of leading a team and working independently.
• Effective communication and active listening abilities.

Responsibilities

• Uphold highest service levels for customers and partners.
• Lead and empower staff to execute merchandising and sales initiatives.
• Maintain store appearance and service standards across routes.
• Provide feedback via store audits and action follow-ups.
• Cover routes and provide extra sales support as needed.
• Recruit, coach, and develop Retail Sales Representatives and Merchandisers.
• Manage time and schedules for route activities and store tasks.
• Perform biannual performance appraisals with constructive feedback.
• Meet budgets and goals for frozen and specialty sales.
• Control shrink and expenses through route reviews.
• Visit stores to evaluate performance and provide updates.
• Conduct monthly conference calls with field teams.
• Ensure policy compliance and deliver training and corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot issues promptly and uphold ethics and integrity.

Skills

Grocery industry experience

Team leadership

Time management

Communication

Conflict resolution

Microsoft Office

Travel readiness

Tools

Email/Outlook

Word

Excel

Electronic Ordering

PDA device

Job description

River Valley Holdings is a family-owned distribution company based in Syracuse, NY, serving retail customers across the northeastern United States. River Valley Foods distributes a wide range of specialty dry and frozen grocery items and consumable products out of warehouses in Syracuse, NY.

Description

The Area Manager supports their team to achieve sales goals and profitable routes, building customer loyalty through developing a high-performing team of Retail Sales Representatives and Merchandisers, and maintaining exceptional service standards and operational excellence. Within an assigned market, the Area Manager achieves profitability objectives and maintains competitive awareness by continuously servicing our stores with the highest level of service possible.

Salary Information

• Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000 per year


• Salary Range: $60,000.00 To $75,000.00 Annually

Schedule

5 days per week (Monday – Friday)

This position covers the Buffalo Market and Rochester Market.

This position reports directly to the Field Operations Manager.

Responsibilities and Duties

Sales and Service

• Uphold and exemplify the highest level of service for both external customers and internal business partners.


• Lead by example and empower employees to maintain strong execution of merchandising, in‑stock, sales and marketing initiatives.


• Ensure that store conditions are consistently maintained and demonstrate excellence through appearance, operational requirements and service expectations.


• Provide feedback through the regular completion of store audits, communication of results, and follow up on action items.


• Cover routes and offer extra sales support as needed to maintain service levels.

Team Development

• Engage in effective recruiting, selection, and succession planning and employee development to ensure staffing levels meet business requirements at all times.


• Travel with Retail Sales Representatives and regularly engage in coaching, training and goal setting activities to ensure understanding and effective execution of all job requirements.


• Ensure effective time management for all retail sales representatives through evaluating, coaching and advising on route travel and service schedules and on the structure and execution of store activities.


• Complete biannual performance appraisals with all team members and provide regular positive and developmental feedback regarding performance and opportunities to improve.

Business Management

• Act with a results-oriented approach to consistently meet budgets and achieve goals for both frozen and specialty sales.


• Control liabilities and expenses through management of store level shrink to the assigned percentage and regular review of routes in order to minimize expenses.


• Regularly visit stores within the assigned territory to evaluate performance and opportunities; engage in coaching, feedback and follow up with the sales representatives; and provide market status updates to the Field Operations Manager


• Conduct monthly conference calls with retail sales representatives / merchandisers.


• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures; take appropriate action to support employee understanding and accountability through fair and consistent training, coaching and implementation of corrective action.


• Troubleshoot store level concerns and or personal issues and resolve in a timely manner.


• Maintain an uncompromising level of ethics and integrity.


• Perform additional job duties as required.

Requirements and Qualifications

• 5 years Grocery and or specialty foods industry experience


• Able to travel and work varied shifts as needed to cover stores within assigned territory


• Strong organizational and time management skills


• Ability to work independently and lead a team


• Effective communication, follow up and active listening skills


• Conflict resolution skills


• Strong computer skills – Email/Outlook, Word, Excel, Electronic Ordering/PDA machine


• Strong managerial and interpersonal skills


• Strong verbal, written and analytical skills

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Insurance


• Flexible Paid Time Off


• Paid Holidaysi
  
• 401(k) & Roth IRA with company match


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Employee Purchase Program


• Car Allowance

River Valley Holdings is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)