Director Retail Sales

Korn Ferry; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresh Mark, a longtime Ohio-based producer of Sugardale and Superior’s Brand Meats, is seeking a Director of Retail Sales to lead the Retail Sales function and shape the long‑term go‑to‑market strategy.

The role reports to the Vice President, oversees about 7 sales professionals, and focuses on national accounts, pricing strategy, channel development, and geographic expansion across retail channels.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of retail sales leadership within food manufacturing or adjacent CPG categories.
• Proven experience leading Retail channels and building relationships throughout the customer hierarchy.
• Demonstrated success managing large national accounts and complex negotiations (big‑box, grocery, distribution).
• Track record leading multi‑channel sales organizations with revenue and margin growth.
• Experience preparing an organization for scale, geographic expansion, or channel integration.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L and pricing strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and unify Retail Sales under a cohesive commercial strategy.
• Develop and execute multi‑year growth plans aligned with revenue, margin, and market share objectives.
• Serve as executive sponsor for key national and strategic accounts, including major retailers and distribution partners.
• Build strong relationships with senior customer stakeholders to enhance credibility and long‑term partnerships.
• Provide leadership visibility in the marketplace, representing the organization with professionalism and authority.
• Oversee a Retail Sales organization of approximately 7 direct and indirect reports, including sales and account focused managers.
• Maintain executive ownership of major national accounts and complex pricing structures.
• Support expansion into new geographic regions while balancing distribution and operational considerations.
• Strengthen sales processes, forecasting discipline, and performance management systems.

Skills

Retail sales leadership

Multi-channel sales

National accounts negotiations

P&L & pricing

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, Director Retail Sales.

The Company

Fresh Mark – Where Tradition Meets Excellence

Welcome to Fresh Mark, a company where century-old craftsmanship meets modern purpose. Founded in 1920 in Massillon, Ohio, Fresh Mark has grown from a modest meat-processing operation into an international supplier of premium pork products, including bacon, ham, hot dogs, pepperoni, salami, and sliced meats under its beloved Sugardale and Superior’s Brand Meats labels.

With over 2,600 employees across four Ohio facilities, Fresh Mark is more than a meat processor—it’s a people-first organization that thrives on collaboration, excellence, and accountability. We’ve never wanted to be the biggest meat processor, but strive to be the best in our industry and beyond.

A Legacy of Quality and Care

Fresh Mark’s story is one of dedication and commitment. From its humble beginnings with just 28 employees, the company has built a reputation for exceptional meats crafted by hard-working

individuals who take pride in feeding people every day.

The Sugardale brand, a household name for over a century, reflects Fresh Mark’s commitment to flavor, consistency, and trust. Available nationwide and in over 20 countries, Sugardale products are a staple in homes, restaurants, and foodservice operations worldwide.

People First: A Culture Built on Tradition

At Fresh Mark, the culture is built on people, integrity, performance, and accountability. The company’s values-driven environment empowers employees to contribute meaningfully to both business outcomes and community impact.

Fresh Mark creates a workplace where professionalism, humility, and disciplined execution are recognized and rewarded. Leaders are expected to model these traits, creating a culture that values work ethic, results, and continuous improvement.

Fresh Mark places food safety and personal safety, ethical business practices, and operational excellence at the core of every decision. The company’s commitment to doing things right—every time—is reflected in its quality standards and compliance protocols.

Fresh Mark’s culture extends beyond its facilities. The company actively supports local nonprofits and community organizations through volunteering, product donations, and its internal Making A Difference Fund, reinforcing its belief that business success includes giving back to the communities where we live and work.

Total, Well-being is a core element of Fresh Mark’s culture. From an on-site health center to low deductible healthcare plans, the company ensures its team members have the resources to thrive.

Responsibility In Our Community

Fresh Mark’s commitment to corporate responsibility is evident in its community outreach and sustainability efforts. The company has supplied over 650,000 meals to combat food insecurity and actively supports local nonprofits and organizations.

Its sustainability initiatives include materiality assessments, peer benchmarking, and strategic partnerships aimed at reducing environmental impact and enhancing transparency.

Advancement: Technology that Sets the Standard

At Fresh Mark, operational advancement is more than a goal – it’s a legacy in motion. Our continued purpose of capital reinvestment in the company fuels innovation and growth at every level. By strategically investing in state‑of‑the‑art equipment, cutting‑edge technology, and employee growth, we ensure that Fresh Mark remains at the forefront of quality and efficiency. These investments drive operational excellence and reinforce our commitment to product safety, community well‑being, and sustainability. This ongoing dedication to progress supports a culture where tradition meets forward thinking, creating lasting value for our employees, customers, and partners.

Join a Legacy of Excellence

At Fresh Mark, you’re not just joining a company—you’re becoming part of a team built on craftsmanship, integrity, and purpose. Whether you're drawn to our continual reinvestment, our values driven culture, or our commitment to community and quality, Fresh Mark offers a place where your work matters, and your growth is supported. We’re looking for individuals who are ready to contribute, lead, and thrive in an environment that values performance, respect, and results. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and be part of something enduring, Fresh Mark is ready for you.

Purpose of the Position

The Director of Retail Sales will serve as a senior commercial leader responsible for driving profitable revenue growth for the Retail sales channel. This executive will oversee the complete retail sales function and will play a critical role in shaping the long‑term go‑to‑market strategy of the organization.

The successful candidate will lead Retail Sales, while partnering closely with the current Food Service & International leadership to ensure aligned go‑to‑market strategy and execution across all commercial channels.

The Director of Retail Sales will report directly to the Vice President and operate as a key member of the commercial team. The role requires a commercially sophisticated leader capable of balancing strategic growth initiatives with hands‑on account leadership and disciplined execution.

This executive will be expected to build on the success of the current retail business and position the company for continued geographic and customer expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and unify Retail Sales under a cohesive commercial strategy.
• Develop and execute multi‑year growth plans aligned with revenue, margin, and market share objectives.
• Serve as executive sponsor for key national and strategic accounts, including major retailers and distribution partners.
• Build strong relationships with senior customer stakeholders to enhance credibility, trust, and long‑term partnerships.
• Provide leadership visibility in the marketplace, representing the organization with professionalism and authority.
• Oversee a Retail Sales organization of approximately 7 direct and indirect reports, including sales and account focused managers.
• Maintain executive ownership of major national accounts and complex pricing structures.
• Support expansion into new geographic regions while balancing distribution and operational considerations.
• Strengthen sales processes, forecasting discipline, and performance management systems.

Strategic Growth & Expansion

• Identify opportunities for geographic expansion, new account penetration, and channel development.
• Evaluate distribution strategy and logistical considerations to support national growth.
• Support disciplined pricing strategy and margin optimization across customer segments.
• Manage trade spend and promotional investment strategy, ensuring ROI discipline and alignment with customer and category objectives.
• Champion data‑driven decision‑making across the commercial organization.

Organizational Leadership & Culture

• Build and sustain a high‑performing, accountable, and collaborative retail team.
• Establish clear performance expectations, succession plans, and development pathways.
• Lead cross‑functional partnership with Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Vice President and Executive Leadership on commercial strategy and organizational evolution.

The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• 10+ years of retail sales leadership experience within food manufacturing or adjacent CPG categories.
• Proven experience leading Retail channels and relationship building throughout the customer hierarchy.
• Demonstrated success managing large national accounts and complex customer negotiations (e.g., big‑box, grocery, and distribution partners).
• Track record of leading multi‑channel sales organizations with measurable revenue and margin growth.
• Experience preparing an organization for scale, geographic expansion, or channel integration.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L responsibilities and pricing strategy.

Skills and Competencies

The ideal candidate will bring a rare blend of technical depth, business acumen, and cultural alignment. They will be:

• Enterprise‑mind‑ed – capable of seeing across channels and integrating strategy into a unified commercial model.
• Market‑facing and credible – able to command respect with major customers and industry stakeholders.
• Strategic yet pragmatic – able to build long‑term plans while driving near‑term execution.
• Commercially analytical – comfortable leveraging data, pricing strategy, and financial insights to drive decisions.
• Change‑capable – able to thoughtfully lead through organizational evolution and succession planning.
• Collaborative and relationship‑oriented – able to build trust across a long‑tenured leadership team.
• Decisive and accountable – focused on results, clarity, and disciplined follow‑through.
• Omnichannel‑aware – understands e‑commerce and digital shelf dynamics and can integrate them into broader retail strategy.
• High integrity and professionally discreet – navigates complex stakeholder dynamics with sound judgment and professionalism.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced business degree preferred.