Director, Retail Sales- Large Store Central

fairlife LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Parental leave

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

HSA funding

Product discounts

Job summary

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company seeking a Director, Retail Sales for the Large Store Central Retail Channel to drive growth, market share, and customer development across major grocery and large-format accounts in the Central U.S.

The role leads a high-performing sales team, partners with Marketing, Finance, Insights, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams, and builds executive relationships while traveling 50–75%. Location options include Chicago or Cincinnati.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, Finance, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 8+ years in Sales, Account Management, Customer Development, National Accounts, or Retail Sales in CPG/food/beverage.
• 2+ years of sales leadership leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of CPG sales strategy, customer development, category management, trade promotions, and revenue growth.
• Proven success delivering sales growth, market share, distribution gains, and profitability.
• Strong strategic planning, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including budget management, forecasting, trade spend optimization, and P&L accountability.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth, market share gains, and distribution expansion in Central Retail.
• Lead JBP negotiations, promotional planning, and assortment optimization.
• Partner with Marketing, Finance, Insights, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Identify opportunities via market trends, data, shopper insights, and competitive analysis.
• Manage trade spend and budgets to maximize ROI within fiscal constraints.
• Build and coach a high-performing sales team with development and performance management.
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with key customers.

Skills

CPG sales strategy

Customer development

Category management

Trade promotions

Revenue growth

Negotiation

Relationship building

Leadership

Communication

Financial acumen

Budget management

Forecasting

P&L accountability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, Finance, or related field

MBA preferred

Job description

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife ultra-filtered milk; Core Power High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife nutrition plan, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

Job Purpose

The Director, Retail Sales - Large Store Central Retail Channel is responsible for driving sales growth, market share, and customer development across major grocery and large-format retail accounts within the Central U.S. region. This role leads the development and execution of strategic sales plans that support company objectives, customer growth, and overall business performance.

As a key sales leader, the Director will build strategic relationships with National and Regional Grocery Retailers, Coca-Cola North America Customer Teams, Coca-Cola Bottling Partners, and Acosta Sales Teams to accelerate growth across the fairlife portfolio. This individual will lead a high-performing sales team, foster a culture of accountability and results, and partner cross‑functionally with Marketing, Finance, Insights, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to deliver profitable growth and best‑in‑class execution.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth, market share gains, and distribution expansion across key grocery and large-format retail customers within the Central Retail Channel.
• Lead customer development through Joint Business Planning (JBP), annual negotiations, promotional planning, and assortment optimization that align with company growth objectives.
• Partner with Marketing, Finance, Insights, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to develop and execute customer growth strategies.
• Identify opportunities through market trends, syndicated data, shopper insights, and competitive analysis.
• Manage trade spending, customer investments, and marketing budgets to maximize ROI while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
• Build, coach, and develop a high‑performing sales team through effective leadership, talent development, and performance management.
• Develop and maintain strong executive‑level relationships with key customers and business partners.

Skills / Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, Finance, or related field required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in Sales, Account Management, Customer Development, National Accounts, or Retail Sales within the CPG, food and beverage, or consumer products industry.
• Minimum of 2 years of successful sales leadership experience with responsibility for leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of CPG sales strategy, customer development, category management, trade promotion management, and revenue growth management.
• Demonstrated success delivering sales growth, market share expansion, distribution gains, and customer profitability objectives.
• Strong strategic planning, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including budget management, forecasting, trade spend optimization, and P&L accountability.

How fairlife nourishes you

At fairlife, we believe in better – and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and well‑being resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work‑life balance
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified well‑being expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional well‑being and work‑life support
• Company‑paid life insurance and short‑term disability
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

Position Location

Chicago, or Cincinnati

Reports to

Heald of Large Store Sales

Travel Requirements

50‑75%

Exempt/Nonexempt

exempt

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range: $165,000 — $190,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job‑related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [e-mail].