Regional Sales Manager

Cipriani; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Cipriani Food is seeking a Regional Sales Manager to drive growth on the East Coast, focusing on premium food channels. The role is field-based, requiring daily market presence, strong distributor relationships, and hands-on account management.

You will lead engagements with importers, retailers, hospitality and foodservice partners across the region, while collaborating with Italy and U.S. teams to ensure brand visibility and rapid expansion. Must be based in NY/NJ and travel frequently.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food sales or distributor management.
• Strong knowledge of the U.S. premium food market.
• Existing network within food importers, distributors, and key accounts preferred.
• Experience with Italian or premium international brands is a plus.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple accounts.
• Willingness to travel frequently across the East Coast.
• Based in New York or New Jersey.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with importers and regional distributors across the East Coast.
• Develop new business opportunities within retail, hospitality, and foodservice sectors.
• Monitor sales performance and execution in the market.
• Coordinate promotional activities and commercial strategies with distribution partners.
• Support distributor management, pricing strategies, and product positioning.
• Conduct regular market visits and customer meetings.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams in the U.S. and Italy.
• Provide market feedback, sales analysis, and growth recommendations.

Skills

Distributor management

Account management

Food sales

Negotiation skills

Travel frequently

Independent worker

Based in NY/NJ

Job description

Cipriani is a globally respected hospitality brand with a legacy of Italian excellence. Cipriani Food was born in the mid-eighties at the behest of Arrigo Cipriani. Originally a laboratory for the production of bread, pasta and desserts served at the Cipriani restaurants. Subsequently the founder Arrigo Cipriani decided to expand the production capacity. Attention to every detail and an uninterrupted process in the search for the highest quality in our products characterize our corporate mission. In every package of our pasta, besides the delicacy, the subtlety and the extraordinary elasticity, there is also the whole gastronomic culture and hospitality developed in almost 90 years of success in the restaurant business.

Cipriani Food is seeking an experienced and motivated Area Sales Manager to support the growth of the brand across the East Coast market. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in the premium food industry and a solid understanding of the U.S. importer and distributor network.

This role will focus on coordinating commercial activities with importers and distributors, developing key accounts, and supporting the expansion of Cipriani Food products within retail, specialty, and foodservice channels.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Regional Sales Manager is a hands on, field first sales leader focused on selling, opening accounts, and driving depletions on the East Coast. This is a high autonomy, field-based role with a strong expectation of being in the market every day. The role requires deep on the street execution, strong distributor management, and the ability to leverage National and Regional Account relationships while ensuring flawless, measurable local execution. This is not a desk role. Success is measured by revenue, depletions, new accounts, and execution quality, with clear KPIs and direct accountability for results.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

• Manage and support relationships with importers and regional distributors across the East Coast
• Develop new business opportunities within retail, hospitality, and foodservice sectors
• Monitor sales performance and execution in the market
• Coordinate promotional activities and commercial strategies with distribution partners
• Support distributor management, pricing strategies, and product positioning
• Conduct regular market visits and customer meetings
• Collaborate closely with internal teams in the U.S. and Italy
• Provide market feedback, sales analysis, and growth recommendations
• Premium food, gourmet, or hospitality industry background
• Experience coordinating distributor and importer relationships
• Knowledge of East Coast foodservice and retail channels
• Territory revenue and depletions
• National Account execution at market level
• Brand visibility and presence

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food sales or distributor management
• Strong knowledge of the U.S. premium food market
• Existing network within food importers, distributors, and key accounts preferred
• Experience with Italian or premium international brands is a plus
• Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple accounts
• Willingness to travel frequently across the East Coast
• Based in New York or New Jersey

THIS ROLE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CANDIDATES WHO

• Prefer office based or purely strategic roles
• Do not enjoy direct selling and field execution
• Are uncomfortable being measured on sales results

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer.

Cipriani is an equal opportunity employer.