VP, Sales Operations: West

Utz Quality Foods is seeking a VP, Sales Operations: West to join our Sales team. Leading the sales teams in assigned geographies, the Vice President of Sales Operations creates and executes sales strategies; ensures the achievement of Sales Objectives in a sustainable and profitable manner; analyzes and prepares sales forecasts; attracts, retains and develops top talent; ensures that the team has an excellent working relationship with all customers and Independent Operators/Distributors; protects and grows market share; improves Direct Store Delivery, DSD, route capacity by achieving route split objectives and sales center upgrades; and ensures that safety is a priority.

We need someone located near Orange County/ Los Angeles County, CA, Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ or San Leandro, CA.

Responsibilities

• Develops and influences sales team members and partners at multiple levels.
• Demonstrates proper and effective leadership to all Independent Operators/Distributors.
• Creates, finalizes, and executes sales forecasts, strategies, and objectives in the assigned regions. Creates and implements new ideas and contingency plans to achieve assigned objectives.
• Achieves all annual financial budgets (Salaries, T&E, warehouse labor).
• Studies market analysis figures furnished by the sales analytics team, evaluating market share, insights, and consumers trends to ensure that Utz continues to grow.
• Works with the Supply Chain team to optimize product mix in the warehouses and on the store shelves.
• Evaluates competitor’s sales activities to determine opportunities for Utz.
• Leads the sales team in sourcing new accounts.
• Develops and maintains an excellent working relationship with all customer management and account personnel through frequent contact. Makes necessary chain/key headquarter account calls as assigned.
• Represents Utz at tradeshows and other sales events as needed.
• Creates, executes, and tracks promotional plans across retailers, ensuring submissions are correct and aligns with our overall strategy.
• Manages new product launches to ensure distribution is on schedule and new items hit shelves on time.
• Analyzes sales results, prepares reports, and delivers presentations on a timely basis.
• Communicates with the Sales Operations Directors on a daily basis to review results and focus areas, coaching and providing direction as needed.
• Communicates and coordinates with company executives and department heads for maximum achievements of sales, profits, and satisfied customers.
• Conducts regional sales meetings with team.
• Conducts quarterly meetings with Independent Operators/Distributors at all assigned sales centers (warehouses).
• Improves overall Independent Operators/Distributor engagement.
• Evaluates and maintains appropriate talent levels to ensure strong sales growth, a qualified bench for succession planning, and loyalty to the Utz Brand of products. 
• Leads execution across all of the key customers.
• Ensures their team is developing skills by utilizing training programs and developmental opportunities.
• Analyzes sales routes within regions, consolidating routes and developing new routes as needed.
• Submits an itinerary and activity report on a weekly basis.
• Ensures that all authorized policies, programs, and instructions are communicated effectively.
• Oversees that facilities in the region meet Utz facility and safety standards.
• Ensures that Food Safety programs are followed.
• Perform other duties as assigned that will impact and support the overall outcome of the Company’s objectives.
• Travel: 60% to 70%.
• Salary: $200k to $240k.

Requirements 

• 15+ years of relevant experience in DSD Sales and Operations. 
• Demonstrated leadership ability with a proven track record of guiding, motivating, and developing high-performing sales teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and positive attitude, fostering innovation and adaptability within a dynamic sales environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regional sales management operations, with hands-on experience successfully leading teams to achieve ambitious sales targets.
• Exceptional collaboration skills, able to work effectively across all organizational levels and partner closely with sales teams in both market and warehouse settings.
• Outstanding communication capabilities, including delivering presentations, facilitating meetings, and producing high-quality written materials.
• Strong business acumen with deep insight into company objectives, market dynamics, and organizational culture.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and other