Sales Manager

Producers Peanut Company Incorporat; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision insurance

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Producers Peanut Company, Inc. is seeking a Sales Manager to oversee sales, customer relationships, and business development. You will drive growth, manage profitability, and ensure customer satisfaction through collaboration with production, logistics, and QA teams.

The role requires strong communication, strategic planning, and a proven record in B2B sales within the food industry. Travel to meet customers and attend trade events is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in food manufacturing or agricultural commodity sales (peanut industry preferred).
• Proven record of achieving sales targets and managing B2B relationships.
• Knowledge of food safety and documentation requirements (HACCP, FSMA, COA, traceability).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems such as SAP.
• Ability to travel for customer visits, trade shows, and industry events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve sales and profit goals.
• Collaborate with management and logistics to plan annual sales and identify growth opportunities.
• Analyze data to identify trends and drive strategic sales initiatives.
• Retain and grow current customer volume and profitability through proactive stewardship.
• Develop new customer relationships and pursue new business opportunities in peanut markets.
• Lead regional or national sales programs and promotional strategies with leadership.
• Direct Food Brokers to ensure representation and development of new customers.
• Maintain customer P&L accountability by monitoring margins and pricing.
• Serve as primary contact for customers via phone, email, and meetings.
• Coordinate with Production, Logistics, and QA for order accuracy and delivery.
• Provide COAs, COIs, product specs, labeling, and allergen statements when needed.
• Monitor satisfaction and service delivery; address potential issues proactively.
• Build relationships with Operations, QA, Accounting, and other departments.
• Monitor market conditions and competitor activity to guide strategy.
• Lead the sales process and coordinate with internal resources for proposals and contracts.
• Deliver accurate monthly sales reports and performance metrics.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Customer service

Travel readiness

Education

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

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

SAP

Job description

Benefits

• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

The Sales Manager oversees all sales, customer relationships, and business development activities for Producers Peanut Company, Inc. This role focuses on growing sales volume, maintaining profitability, and ensuring customer satisfaction through proactive communication, accurate order fulfillment, and strong coordination with production, logistics, and quality teams. The Sales Manager also monitors industry trends, manages Food Brokers, and provides sales forecasts and reporting to senior leadership.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve assigned sales and profit goals.
• Work closely with management and logistics teams to develop annual sales plans, identify growth opportunities, and track performance against objectives.
• Analyze customer, broker, and distributor data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities that drive strategic sales initiatives.
• Retain and grow current customer volume, sales, and profitability through proactive stewardship of customer relationships.
• Develop new customer relationships and pursue new business opportunities in industrial, private label, and bulk peanut markets.
• Lead initiatives to expand product or category distribution based on market consumption data and customer feedback.
• Develop and implement regional or national sales programs and promotional strategies in collaboration with executive leadership.
• Monitor and direct Food Brokers to ensure proper representation of the company and development of new customers.
• Maintain customer‑level P&L accountability by monitoring margins, pricing, and profitability to ensure sustainable growth.
• Serve as the primary contact for customers, maintaining regular communication through phone, email, and in‑person meetings.
• Manage existing customer accounts while ensuring accurate pricing, order fulfillment, and on‑time delivery.
• Coordinate with Production, Logistics, and QA to confirm order accuracy, shipment schedules, and product quality requirements.
• Collaborate with the FSQA department to ensure customers receive proper documentation such as COAs, COIs, product specifications, labeling, and allergen statements.
• Proactively manage and monitor customer satisfaction and service delivery by anticipating potential service or supply issues.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Operations, QA, Accounting, and other departments to ensure alignment and customer satisfaction.
• Monitor market conditions, competitor pricing, and peanut industry trends to guide sales strategy and maintain competitiveness.
• Lead all aspects of the sales process, calling upon internal resources to assist in solution development, proposal delivery, and contract negotiation.
• Execute sales initiatives to maximize sales volume and profit while maintaining cost control.
• Demonstrate operational excellence by delivering accurate monthly sales reports, forecasts, and performance metrics to management in a timely manner.
• Work closely with Accounting to ensure invoicing accuracy, timely collections, and proper credit management.
• Participate in trade shows, customer visits, and industry meetings to strengthen business relationships and identify new opportunities.
• Support product innovation by communicating customer requests and feedback to Production and QA teams.
• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity, and customer needs by participating in professional societies, reviewing trade publications, and maintaining active industry networks.
• Travel to visit existing customers and brokers, meet with prospective new customers, and conduct on‑site business reviews to support growth and retention.
• Travel as needed to attend trade shows, customer demonstrations, and industry events to represent the company and promote products.
• Perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in food manufacturing or agricultural commodity sales (peanut industry experience preferred).
• Proven record of achieving sales targets and managing B2B relationships.
• Knowledge of food safety and documentation requirements (HACCP, FSMA, COA, traceability, etc.).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word) and ERP systems such as SAP.
• Ability to travel for customer visits, trade shows, and industry events as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with food brokers or distributors within the food manufacturing or ingredient supply chain.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze sales data, forecast trends, and create strategic growth plans.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills across departments and customer levels.
• Excellent problem‑solving and conflict‑resolution abilities, especially in managing service or supply challenges.
• Highly organized with attention to detail in maintaining pricing lists, contracts, and customer documentation.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and ability to work independently to meet deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or remain at a workstation for prolonged periods (typically 6-8 hours per day).
• Occasional standing, walking, or moving between departments or meeting areas.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, phone, and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move office items such as files, binders, or small packages (typically up to 20 lbs).
• Visual acuity to read computer screens, documents, and reports.
• Ability to communicate clearly in person, over the phone, and via email.
• Work is performed in a typical office environment with moderate noise levels and climate‑controlled conditions.
• Occasional travel between buildings or external meetings may be required (minimal).
• Ability to maintain focus, attention to detail, and accuracy in a fast‑paced office setting.

Producers Peanut Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a reference check, background check, drug/alcohol test, and documented proof of work authorization. In addition, some roles require a pre‑employment medical examination to determine your ability to perform the essential duties of the job.