Executive Director, Sales- West

KeHE Distributors, LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 167,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Rx

Dental

Vision

FSA/HSA

Supplemental life insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Paid sick time

STD/LTD

Employee stock ownership (ESOP)

Holiday pay

Job summary

KeHE Distributors, LLC seeks an Executive Director of Sales to lead strategic sales, marketing, and merchandising programs across regions. This leadership role partners with key customers and suppliers to drive growth, profitability, and market share while upholding the company mission and values.

The role requires 12+ years in grocery retail with 8+ years in management, deep P&L acumen, and the ability to build high‑performing teams.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of developing and executing strategy, managing financial performance, leading high‑performing teams, and driving profitable business growth.
• Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Business, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 12+ years of experience in the grocery retail channel with 8+ years of management experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive Strategy: Translate company vision into actionable growth plans and team specific performance objectives.
• Identify Opportunities: Spot and seize new customer business through consistent market follow-up.
• Analyze Markets: Monitor competitor activities and recommend strategic paths to mitigate sales degradation and increase market penetration.
• Manage Categories: Cascade category management and growth solutions information and market initiatives to improve KeHE share of shelf.
• Represent Brand: Participate in trade events and industry associations via public speaking.
• Own P&L: Manage all financial aspects, including budgeting, forecasting, and expense management.
• Govern Budgets: Oversee and manage budgets for all assigned regions.
• Guide Decisions: Lead financial analysis of sales performance and margins to direct choices.
• Maximize Account Sales and Penetration: Execute fact‑based, analytical selling programs to maximize account‑level sales and profit.
• Build Teams: Lead, develop, and coach high‑performing sales leaders and teams.
• Foster Culture: Create a motivating climate that drives results even under tough circumstances.
• Unite Diversity: Construct strong‑identity teams that leverage diverse skills to achieve common goals.
• Cross‑Functional Synergy: Collaborate with other corporate functional areas to meet unified objectives.
• Secure Partnerships: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Enforce Compliance: Assure established company policies and procedures are strictly followed.
• Execute Urgency: Meet project deadlines and sudden requests with a strong sense of urgency.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Travel up to 50%

Schedule flexibility

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Business, or related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Why Work for KeHE?

• Full-time
• Pay Range: $167,000.00/Yr. - $245,000.00/Yr.
• Shift Days: , Shift Time:
• Benefits on Day 1
  • Health/Rx
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Paid time off
  • Paid sick time
  • Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
  • Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
  • Holiday pay for company designated holidays

Overview

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Primary Responsibilities

The Executive Director of Sales is a pivotal leadership role responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the development and execution of strategic sales, marketing, and merchandising programs. This position ensures all regional initiatives align with and achieve both the independent segment and organizational financial goals. Additionally, the Executive Director will proactively develop, strengthen, and solidify strategic relationships with key customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. As with all positions at our company, the incumbent is expected to lead by example, ensuring all actions, strategies, and partnerships are strictly consistent with the company’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Essential Functions

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive Strategy: Translate company vision into actionable growth plans and team specific performance objectives.
• Identify Opportunities: Spot and seize new customer business through consistent market follow-up.
• Analyze Markets: Monitor competitor activities and recommend strategic paths to mitigate sales degradation and increase market penetration.
• Manage Categories: Analyze and cascade category management and growth solutions information and market initiatives to improve KeHE share of shelf.
• Represent Brand: Participate in trade events and industry associations via public speaking.

• Own P&L: Manage all financial aspects, including budgeting, forecasting, and expense management.
• Govern Budgets: Oversee and manage budgets for all assigned regions.
• Guide Decisions: Lead financial analysis of sales performance and margins to direct choices.
• Maximize Account Sales and Penetration: Execute fact‑based, analytical selling programs to maximize account‑level sales and profit.

• Build Teams: Lead, develop, and coach high‑performing sales leaders and teams.
• Foster Culture: Create a motivating climate that drives results even under tough circumstances.
• Unite Diversity: Construct strong‑identity teams that leverage diverse skills to achieve common goals.
• Cross‑Functional Synergy: Collaborate with other corporate functional areas to meet unified objectives.

• Secure Partnerships: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Enforce Compliance: Assure established company policies and procedures are strictly followed.
• Execute Urgency: Meet project deadlines and sudden requests with a strong sense of urgency.

• Strategic Acumen: Deep financial acumen coupled with an ability to balance growth and sustainability.
• Decisive Action: Ability to act quickly and decisively in fast‑changing, unpredictable environments.
• High Integrity: Gain trust through authenticity, transparent communication, and high ethical standards.
• Problem Solving: Ability to interpret complex, high‑quantity, and contradictory data to solve problems.
• Process Focus: Continuous improvement mindset to discover, gain organizational alignment, and implement the most efficient processes.
• Courageous Leadership: Willingness to directly address difficult issues and say what needs to be said.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel to various business locations up to 50% of the time.
• Schedule Flexibility: Ability to work flexible hours as needed, including some weekends.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proven track record of developing and executing strategy, managing financial performance, leading high‑performing teams, and driving profitable business growth.
• Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Business, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 12+ years of experience in the grocery retail channel with 8+ years of management experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Equal Employer Opportunity Statement

KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.