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 work station 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 go to 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.