Area Sales Manager, Houston, TX

WK Kellogg Co; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 116,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive bonus

Health insurance

Savings and Investment Plan

Paid time off

11 holidays

Life insurance

AD&D

STD/LTD

Tuition reimbursement

Recognition program

Job summary

WK Kellogg Co is seeking an Area Sales Manager to lead a team of Retail Sales Leads in a fast-paced, retail-focused environment in the Houston, TX area. You will drive activation of account strategies, manage budgets, and develop talent while traveling about 60% to meet store goals.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and relationship-building with customer teams and senior decision-makers to achieve KPI targets and growth.

Qualifications

• 3+ to 7+ years of progressive sales experience.
• Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Experience managing customer relationships and territory performance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and POS systems.
• Analytical, data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Retail Sales Leads; set up selling and activation processes; provide training and coaching.
• Align with customer teams to activate weekly, monthly, and annual promotions.
• Drive collaboration between Retail and Account Teams for go-to-market plans and sell to senior decision makers.
• Build strong customer relationships and pursue compression selling to meet targets.
• Monitor performance metrics; develop budgets; use analytics to optimize sales results.
• Recruit, hire, and train top talent; elevate cereal category IQ through reporting and tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align strategies and deliver solutions.
• Nurture relationships with external store leadership and broaden customer connections.

Skills

Leadership

Sales management

Team development

MS Office

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Sales or related field

Tools

POS systems

Job description

At WK Kellogg Co, we exist to create joy and connection to inspire Gr-r-reat days. We believe that doing good is always good for business and we have stood for this since Kellogg Company was founded more than 120 years ago. We are passionate about doing our part to make nutritious foods, create social connectivity and respect natural resources. Together, these actions create positive progress for people and the planet – today and for years to come. We have big plans for how we are going to accomplish this, and we would love for you to join us in this effort.

Job Overview

The Area Sales Manager is responsible for leading a team of Retail Sales Leads and ensuring they activate WK Kellogg account strategy, goals, and selling objectives. The role combines leadership, strategic planning, and account management to deliver results in a fast-paced, retail-focused environment.

This position is based in the Houston, TX area. Approximately 60% of travel required, could vary based on area

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to: Director of Retail Sales
• Supervises: Retail Sales Leads (manages 11-13 headcount)
• Peer Relationships: other Area Sales Managers, Account Executives
• Key contacts: Customer Teams, Retail Sales Support Team, Human Resources, External Store Leadership

Here’s What You’ll Be Doing

• Leadership & Team Development: Develop and lead a team of Retail Sales Leads, setting up selling and activation processes, and providing training & coaching to build capabilities
• Account Development: Align with customer teams to activate weekly, monthly, and annual promotion plans that meet profitable sales, distribution, and display goals
• Strategic Partnerships: Drive collaboration between Retail and Account Teams to strategic gap planning for 4+ different Account go-to-market plans and sell to senior decision makers at retail customers to gain support and accelerate KPIs
• Account Management: Build strong customer relationships, including compression selling to achieve targets
• Performance Monitoring: Track retail performance metrics, develop quarterly and annual budgets, and use analytics-driven insights to identify opportunities, optimize performance, and achieve budgeted sales goals.
• Talent Recruitment: Recruit, hire, and train top talent to support team growth and development; elevate cereal category IQ through reporting, tools, and technology
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with account teams and cross-functional stakeholders to align strategies, ensure consistent activation, and deliver solutions that meet customer and business objectives.
• Customer Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with external store leadership and establishing customer ops wiring at higher levels. Broaden customer relationships through selling and attending key customer activation programs.
• Structure work week includes start of week, Wednesday business analysis review, and end of week strategic thought analysis linked with Account sales plan to deliver period/quarter growth results. Annual coaching documented work with totaling 85 annually, average 7 days per month in field, and the remaining days are planned home office strategic planning time.

Qualifications

• 3-7+ years of progressive sales experience, preferably in consumer goods, retail, manufacturing, or related industry.
• Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Experience managing customer relationships and territory performance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and POS systems
• Analytical skills with data-driven decision-making
• Management, sales, and account management experience
• Strong leadership and people development skills
• High school diploma or GED; bachelor's degree preferred
• Valid driver’s license
• Customer relationship management and negotiation skills
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field preferred.

Salary Range

$115,680-$144,600

Salary pay ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, certifications, qualifications, relevant education or training, and local market conditions.

Benefits

• Incentive Plan bonus eligibility
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Savings and Investment Plan with Company match and contribution
• Paid Time Off (includes paid sick time)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance, AD and D Insurance and STD/LTD
• Tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance for eligible employees
• Employee recognition program

The above offerings are subject to the terms of WKKC policies, which will control in the event of a conflict with the above descriptions

Our comprehensive and competitive benefits not only deliver value to you and your family, but also offer choice to meet your unique needs and knowledge to empower confident decision-making.

About WK Kellogg Co

At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands. Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Since then, we have embraced the same spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in everything we do, channeling our founder’s passion and commitment to creating high quality and delicious products while fostering communities. Our iconic brand portfolio includes Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Kashi, Special K, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini Wheats and Bear Naked. With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve. For more information, visit www.wkkellogg.com.

If we can help you with a reasonable accommodation throughout the application or hiring process, please email [e-mail]

The Finer Print

The ability to work a full shift, come to work on time, work overtime as needed and the ability to work according to the necessary schedule to meet job requirements with or without reasonable accommodation is an essential function of this position.

WK Kellogg Co is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment, a seat for everyone at the table, and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For US Applicants

Where required by state law and/or city ordinance; this employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information, please follow this link.

Let’s create gr-r-reat days,

WK Kellogg Co Recruitment