Central Division Manager, Foodservice

Ocean Spray; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Central Division Manager for Foodservice. This remote role focuses on driving strategy, revenue, and relationships to enhance growth in the foodservice sector. The ideal candidate will leverage extensive experience in foodservice sales and distributor development, leading critical corporate accounts and managing broker teams. With a strong emphasis on strategic planning and collaboration, this position offers the chance to make a significant impact while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment. If you thrive in a dynamic setting and are passionate about growth, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Complete insurance package

401(k) with company matching

Flexible scheduling options

Vacation pay

Career development opportunities

Tuition assistance programs

Employee discounts

Fitness reimbursement

Employee appreciation events

Charitable giving

Qualifications

• 8+ years in foodservice sales with a focus on distributor development.
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic contract design and manage broker partners.
• Drive revenue and relationship building in foodservice.

Skills

Foodservice Manufacturer Sales

Strategic Planning

Negotiation Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Leadership Presence

Digital Compliance/Shelf Understanding

Proactive Disposition

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Power BI

Blacksmith

Tibersoft

Job description

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Central Division Manager, Foodservice! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since.

The Central Division Manager for the Foodservice channel is a key lead role for Ocean Spray’s growth channels. This leader will drive strategy, revenue, relationship building, and execution for distribution development and broker field sales teams in the assigned geography. This talent will also lead our two largest corporate accounts to accelerate our growth trajectory. A successful candidate will fully utilize the resources of the enterprise (company + broker partners) to accelerate profitable growth and bring a passion for “how might we”.

This is a remote position with location in the Central Time Zone states, with Texas and Illinois most preferred. This position offers a car allowance, sales incentive, and a target company bonus of 15%.

A Day in the Life...

• Lead strategic contract design and joint business planning with HQ distribution – Sysco, USF, and super regionals.
• Manage broker partners, develop regional sales opportunities, provide training, and create Trimester plans.
• Navigate negotiations and manage conflicts effectively.
• Trade design, management, and optimization.
• Present customer business plans.
• Support broker deduction management and repayment processes.
• Lead change initiatives and guide others through the journey.
• Travel to meet with distributors, conduct broker market visits, and attend industry events (~25%).

What We Are Looking For:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in foodservice manufacturer sales, HQ broadline distributor development (Sysco or USF), and broker sales development.
• Strong strategy development and infinite mindset.
• Highly proactive disposition.
• Understanding of digital compliance/shelf.
• Knowledge of distributor trends, strategic planning, and industry best practices.
• Ability to interpret distributor-specific data and translate into relevant, actionable goals.
• Highly collaborative with peers and able to thrive in a matrixed environment, all levels, all functions.
• Leadership presence and strong command of all foodservice segments.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize multiple dynamics.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively and succinctly communicate (verbal/writing).
• Disposition which empowers, fully supports, and inspires teammates and others.
• Strong proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel.
• Knowledge of Power BI, Blacksmith, Tibersoft, or equivalents a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or equivalent.

Education:

Bachelor's or University Degree (Required)

Work Experience:

At least 7 Years of Experience

Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
  • Health savings account.
  • Flexible spending account.
  • Life and accident insurance.
  • Employee assistance program.
  • Telehealth services.
  • Fertility benefits.
  • Transgender benefits.
  • 1:1 health coaching and more.
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end.
• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses.
• Flexible scheduling options.
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment).
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays.
• Career development and growth opportunities.
• Tuition/Education assistance programs.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Scholarship programs for children of employees.
• Parental leave.
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance.
• Bereavement leave.
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement.
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement.
• Employee appreciation events.
• Employee discounts.
• Charitable giving.

Who We Are:

You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what’s better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future.

Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike--we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• G rower Mindset – We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable R esults – Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• I ntegrity Above All – We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other.
• Inclusive T eamwork – We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.