Sales Manager - Protein

CSG Talent; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food industry firm is seeking a Sales Manager to drive revenue growth and manage key customer relationships for protein products. This role will execute sales strategies across various channels including retail and foodservice while collaborating with operations and supply chain teams. Successful candidates will have at least 5 years of sales experience, a strong understanding of the protein market, and excellent negotiation and communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years of sales experience in protein, food, or packaged goods industries.
• Strong understanding of protein markets and customer channels.
• Proven track record of exceeding sales targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow revenue and market share.
• Manage relationships with key customers, distributors, and partners.
• Forecast sales volumes and analyze market trends.

Skills

Sales strategy development

Customer relationship management

Negotiation skills

Market analysis

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, Agriculture, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Forecasting tools

Job description

The Sales Manager is responsible for driving revenue growth, managing key customer relationships, and executing sales strategies for protein products across retail, foodservice, and/or further-processing channels. This role partners closely with operations, supply chain, and finance teams to align customer demand with production capabilities while maintaining strong margins and service levels. The Sales Manager plays a critical role in expanding market presence, strengthening customer partnerships, and supporting the company's overall commercial strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow revenue, market share, and profitability across assigned accounts and channels.
• Manage and grow relationships with key customers, distributors, brokers, and strategic partners.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, volumes, and service agreements in alignment with margin and business objectives.
• Collaborate with operations, production planning, and supply chain teams to ensure customer demand is met reliably and efficiently.
• Forecast sales volumes and revenue, analyze market trends, and adjust strategies to meet business goals.
• Monitor customer performance, profitability, and service levels; address issues proactively to maintain strong partnerships.
• Partner with marketing and product development teams to support new product launches and customer-specific solutions.
• Track and analyze sales KPIs, customer trends, and competitive activity to inform decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical business practices.
• Represent the organization at customer meetings, trade shows, and industry events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, Agriculture, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5-10+ years of sales or account management experience in protein, food, or consumer packaged goods industries.
• Strong understanding of protein markets, pricing dynamics, and customer channels (retail, foodservice, export, or further processing).
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets and managing complex customer relationships.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, forecasting tools, and standard business software.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and adapt to changing market conditions.

Location: Cleveland, OH

Salary: $55,000.00-$65,000.00