Sales Director - Private Label Pizza & Desserts

Schwan's Company; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Annual bonus

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Time off

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s is seeking an experienced Sales Director to lead private label national customer strategies that drive profitable sales growth and strengthen partnerships.

This role requires strategic leadership with cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Quality, plus the ability to build high-performing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years in customer marketing or related commercial role.
• Experience in private label sales or commercialization preferable.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and ability to influence across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans for private label national customers.
• Lead key customer relationships and act as strategic partner to internal/external stakeholders.
• Identify market opportunities and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Lead cross-functional teams to implement initiatives and priorities.
• Establish goals, measure performance, and report results to leadership.

Skills

10+ years commercial experience

Private label

Strategic account management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree; MBA preferred

Job description

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors, and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation, and the power of food to bring people together. We are seeking an experienced Sales Director to lead private label national customer strategies that drive profitable sales growth, strengthen customer partnerships, and deliver business objectives. This role provides strategic sales leadership while partnering across the organization to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and drive successful execution. The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-oriented leader who builds strong customer relationships, leads through influence, and develops high‑performing teams.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans that drive revenue, profitability, and sustainable customer growth.
• Lead key customer relationships and serve as a strategic partner to internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify market, customer, and competitive opportunities and translate insights into actionable business strategies.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute strategic initiatives, innovations, and customer priorities.
• Establish clear goals and performance measures and communicate business results, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership.
• Drive innovative solutions and change initiatives that improve business and customer performance.
• Lead, coach, and develop sales talent to build a high‑performing, accountable team.

What We Look For:

• Bachelor's degree (MBA preferred) with 10+ years of experience in customer marketing, commercialization, category management, product management, or a related commercial role.
• Experience managing product portfolios or leading commercialization initiatives ideally within the private label space
• Strong understanding of product strategy and development, category insights, customer development, and commercial execution.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and lead initiatives across Sales, Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Quality.
• Strong analytical, financial, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to translate insights into business results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive organizational chang
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing teams

What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 to $200,000 annually, with eligibility for a 30% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance and car allowance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.