Now hiring: Field Sales Manager

October 4, 2024 Force of Nature

Position Title: Field Sales Manager

Reports to: Director of Sales – National

Start Date: Q4 2024

Location: Central, TX

Company Profile:

Force of Nature is a champion for regenerative agriculture and wildlife conservation. We are committed to educating consumers that animal agriculture, when managed in a manner that emulates the diverse harmony in nature, improves welfare, creates the most nutrient dense food available and ultimately produces a positive return on the planet. We exist to give consumers an opportunity to vote for environmental regeneration through their purchasing power of fresh/frozen meat and to ultimately reclaim the legacy of meat. At a time when industrialized and commoditized conventional agriculture is wreaking devastation and many false profits are generating headlines with lab based or highly processed alternatives that are really no better for you or the environment; we are here to prove that nature got it right. There is no doubt that together, we can heal our environment, restore our health, and end the agricultural system that is depleting our natural resources.

Position Scope:

Field Sales Manager role will work cross functionally in the development and execution of field sales and marketing related programs at the retailer level and on projects ranging from sales support to marketing support and execution.

Major Responsibilities:

*Note that responsibilities may be added or adjusted over time.

Field Sales

Lead field sales efforts.
Build and execute strategic market blitz plans to support sales in regions & retailers that are critical to sales department goals and objectives (2-3 market blitzes per month).
Deliver follow up from field sales blitzes in timely and accurate manner effectively delivering positive return on the investment of time and company resources in the field
Work with Director of Sales and Regional Sales Managers to help map out quarterly field sales plans and goals
Track progress on field sales blitzes and maintain comprehensive log to help RSMs channel communication to retail buyers and category managers
Represent the brand to the highest Force of Nature standard in the field
Create target list of independents and call on potential customers while on field sales blitzes to gain distribution into new accounts
Accountability to annual sales plan
Ownership and communication of recurring updates to plans and forecasts within assigned accounts. Support in measuring performance against expectations
Support in building and supporting of annual trade promotional calendar.
Identify and execute on opportunities to expand the sales of FON across all channels, which includes working with broker and distributor networks to maximize sales and distribution opportunities
Ensure timely execution on new item introductions, schematic implementation and promotional programming and that they have all necessary resources required to succeed in the market (e.g., product samples, sell sheets, promotional calendars, etc)
Ensure that all POS & Swag (e.g. freezers, shelf talkers, trays, hats, t-shirts, VIP Coupons etc.) is utilized effectively in the marketplace.
Analyze distribution reports to determine market coverage and opportunities
Conduct in-store audits (via broker management or in person) to ensure merchandising standards are adhered to and promotional programming is executed
Identify opportunities to build strong connections with key individuals and form meaningful and impactful relationships that benefit the FON brand (from consumer to buyers and everyone in between).
Support in executing FoN goals in multiple selling channels:

Retail
- Support sales in key independent, regional & national retailers executing market sales blitzes routinely and with great results
- Support distributor sales efforts driving increased ACV & velocity at the shelf
Food Service
- Work with Foodservice manager to support growth in this channel, especially in the local market
- Support sales efforts at regional foodservice distributor partners
Direct Wholesale
- Identify and sell into key non-traditional sales outlets
- Support the development of and execution of innovative selling opportunities
Support in onboarding new retailers, distributors and brokers in vetting, gathering and completing of essential onboarding documents.
Technical capabilities for using suite of systems to support sales planning, customer management, analytics

Marketing

Aid in retailer marketing support execution driving maximum value out of opportunities including the execution and implementation of POS, signage, merchandising, demo support and distribution of swag.
Execute strategic "demos" (educational and serving food) at retail locations and events as needed
Assist/lead the execution of trade shows & events as assigned
Assist in the project management of internal projects and 3^rd party POS, printing and merchandising contractor timelines and deliverables that support sales.

Cross Functional Support

Cultural support both internally and externally (ensuring things like handwritten notes to top key accounts, notes to new buyers at launch, influencer follow-up execution with samples) are executed
Support any needs of the business and be a trusted and dedicated member of the team.
Work closely with Sales & Operations to ensure accountability to forecasts

Essential Qualifications:

Team player
Commitment to Force of Nature’s mission to Reclaim the Legacy of Meat
Passion and enthusiasm for regenerative agriculture
Passion for an active health & wellness lifestyle
Preferred Sales and CPG experience
Proven ability to work and travel independently as well as collaboratively; highly adaptable & resourceful
Go getter mentality with strong desire to drive results
Strong planning, organizational, project management skills along with excellent interpersonal, written/oral communication and presentation skills,
Competence working in Microsoft Office suite with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
Demonstrated ability to excel in a hands-on, fast paced entrepreneurial environment
Must have the ability to be successful in conditions which include multiple and sometimes conflicting priorities, extended work schedules and demanding deadlines
Ability to proactively execute on opportunities to add value while being scrappy in a start-up environment
Ability to travel up to 70% of time