Vice President, Retail Sales

Job Title

Vice President, Retail Sales Location: Sterling, VA Reports To: Chief Commercial Officer / CEO Department: Sales & Commercial Strategy Industry: Food Manufacturing (Sous Vide)

Position Summary

The Vice President, Retail Sales will lead the retail growth strategy for a premium line of sous vide food products. This executive will be responsible for expanding distribution across grocery, mass, and club channels, building strategic customer relationships, and driving revenue and profitability. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in retail food sales, a passion for culinary innovation, and a strong understanding of the sous vide category or premium prepared foods.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a national retail sales strategy focused on sous vide product lines, including ready-to-eat proteins, sides, and meal kits.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales team, including regional directors, account managers, and broker networks.
• Cultivate relationships with key retail partners (e.g., Whole Foods, Kroger, Costco, Target) to drive placement, promotions, and category growth.
• Lead customer negotiations, trade spend management, and joint business planning.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Culinary teams to align product innovation with consumer trends and retailer needs.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure accurate forecasting, inventory management, and on-time delivery.
• Monitor competitive activity and market trends to identify opportunities for differentiation and growth.
• Represent the brand at trade shows, culinary events, and industry forums.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience in food manufacturing, with a strong focus on retail channels.
• Experience with premium, refrigerated, or prepared food categories; sous vide experience highly preferred.
• Proven