Director of Sales Central Region

Urban Farmer; Manteno (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Urban Farmer seeks a Director of Sales Central Region to drive revenue growth and lead a high-performing team. The role requires strategic planning, market analysis, and cross-functional collaboration with marketing, operations, and QA to expand the company’s national footprint.

The ideal candidate will have 8–12+ years in food manufacturing/CPG sales leadership, a strong track record in revenue growth, and excellence in relationship-building with major customers and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 8–12+ years of progressive sales experience in food manufacturing/CPG.
• Proven ability to develop and execute successful sales strategies and drive revenue growth.
• Demonstrated leadership of high-performing sales teams and talent development.
• Strong business acumen and negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient with CRM systems (Salesforce) and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies across all channels to drive revenue, market share, and profitability.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sales managers, reps, and account executives; drive succession planning.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key customers, distributors, retailers, and partners; negotiate major contracts and promotions.
• Prepare accurate sales forecasts, budgets, and revenue projections; provide regular reporting to executives.
• Ensure sales activities comply with policies and food safety regulations; represent Urban Farmer at events.

Skills

Sales leadership

CRM proficiency

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/Sales

MBA preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Director of Sales Central Region is a key executive role responsible for driving revenue growth, developing sales strategies, and leading a high-performing sales team. This role combines strategic planning, market analysis, team leadership, and operational oversight to expand Urban Farmer’s presence across all channels. The ideal candidate is a visionary sales leader with experience in food manufacturing or CPG, capable of building long-term customer relationships while executing measurable growth initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies that drive revenue, market share, and profitability across all channels.
• Identify new markets, distribution channels, and business opportunities to expand Urban Farmer’s footprint regionally and nationally.
• Set sales targets, establish KPIs, and monitor performance metrics to ensure the team meets or exceeds goals.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to inform product positioning and sales initiatives.
• Collaborate with marketing to optimize promotions, product launches, and customer engagement campaigns.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sales managers, representatives, and account executives, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, train, and retain top sales talent, creating career development plans to support team growth and succession planning.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and team meetings to align on priorities and drive results.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration with operations, production, supply chain, and QA teams to ensure sales goals are supported by operational capabilities.

Customer Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key customers, distributors, retailers, and strategic partners.
• Negotiate major contracts, pricing agreements, and promotional programs to maximize profitability.
• Monitor customer satisfaction and resolve escalated issues to maintain long-term relationships.

Forecasting, Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare accurate sales forecasts, budgets, and revenue projections.
• Provide regular reporting to executive leadership on sales performance, market trends, and business opportunities.
• Utilize CRM systems and data analytics tools to track pipeline, identify risks, and optimize sales performance.

Compliance & Brand Leadership

• Ensure all sales activities comply with company policies, ethical standards, and food safety regulations.
• Represent Urban Farmer professionally in industry events, trade shows, and customer meetings to strengthen brand presence.

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 8–12+ years of progressive sales experience, including leadership experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or related industry.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful sales strategies and achieve revenue growth.
• Proven track record of managing high-performing sales teams and fostering talent development.
• Strong business acumen, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel for customer visits, trade shows, and company events as required.