National Grocery Growth Director

ForceBrands; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ForceBrands represents a bakery client seeking a Grocery National Sales Manager to lead expansion into the grocery channel. This role is hands-on and focused on opening new accounts, expanding distribution, and managing broker relationships.

The ideal candidate will drive retailer presentations, negotiate terms, and execute product launches across multiple markets, with frequent travel to support growth and strategy development.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of bakery sales experience, track record preferred.
• Experience building emerging brands in grocery.
• Experience opening new grocery accounts and launching SKUs.
• Strong understanding of grocery buyer expectations and category dynamics.
• Experience managing broker/distributor relationships.
• Familiarity with In-Store Bakery or adjacent categories preferred.
• Comfort working with limited infrastructure and syndicated data.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills; relationship-driven.
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, hands-on contributor with execution focus.
• Willingness to travel across multiple markets.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business with regional and national grocery retailers, focusing on In-Store Bakery and adjacent categories.
• Develop and execute a regional test-and-expand strategy to build velocity before national distribution.
• Build relationships with buyers, category managers, brokers, distributors, and other retail decision-makers.
• Lead retailer presentations, negotiations, product sell-in, follow-up, and launch execution.
• Manage broker relationships across the U.S., identify coverage gaps, and onboard new partners as needed.
• Support integration and growth of an acquired bakery business within the grocery footprint.
• Collaborate with operations, production, finance, marketing, and leadership on forecasting, pricing, packaging, and execution.
• Monitor account performance, product velocity, promotions, and store-level execution; gather market feedback.
• Provide leadership with market intelligence and retailer strategy recommendations.

Skills

Bakery sales

New account openings

Broker management

Distributor relationships

Retail category knowledge

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Execution focus

Willingness to travel

Job description

ForceBrands represents a bakery client seeking a Grocery National Sales Manager to lead expansion into the grocery channel. This role is hands-on and focused on opening new accounts, expanding distribution, and managing broker relationships.

The ideal candidate will drive retailer presentations, negotiate terms, and execute product launches across multiple markets, with frequent travel to support growth and strategy development.