The Senior Sales Director plays a critical leadership role in driving growth, profitability, customer engagement, and team performance across assigned markets, retail customers, and/or category teams. This position is responsible for leading sales strategy, strengthening customer and principal relationships, developing high-performing Business Managers and Account Managers, and ensuring the successful execution of customer business plans. The Senior Sales Director serves as a trusted business partner to senior leadership, customers, principals, and cross-functional teams while representing the company’s full capabilities in the marketplace.
Responsibilities- Lead sales strategy and execution for assigned markets, retail customers, departments, and/or category teams to achieve business objectives, sales goals, and profitability targets.
- Develop and maintain strong, senior-level relationships with customers, principals, manufacturers, and internal business partners.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for customer-specific and principal-specific opportunities, including category management, consumer insights, promotional strategy, and business planning.
- Partner with Business Managers, Account Managers, Marketing, Retail Selling, Analytics, Technology, and Administrative teams to deliver in-store execution, customer solutions, and measurable business results.
- Use customer, market, category, and principal insights to develop fact-based selling stories, strategic presentations, and recommendations that support growth initiatives.
- Manage trade-marketing funds in accordance with company, customer, and principal guidelines while working to minimize sales-related deductions.
- Coach, develop, and support Business Managers and Account Managers in account planning, relationship management, selling strategy, and performance execution.
- Identify opportunities to expand principal business by leveraging category expertise, department knowledge, customer trends, and total company capabilities.
- Represent the company on key customer and principal initiatives, aligning cross-functional resources to support business priorities and long-term growth.
- Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, customer strategies, competitive activity, retail execution tools, and category management best practices.
- Prepare and deliver compelling presentations, business reviews, forecasts, and sales analyses using appropriate systems, tools, and data sources.
- Lead, supervise, monitor, and evaluate direct reports, including performance management, development planning, coaching, and succession support.
- Demonstrate leadership behaviors consistent with company culture, including collaboration, accountability, integrity, innovation, and a strong commitment to results.
- Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and additional responsibilities as assigned by senior leadership.
- Other required duties.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field preferred.
Experience
- 10+ years of experience in consumer-packaged goods, sales, account management, category management, or a related sales leadership function. Prior Winco experience is needed.
- Proven track record of achieving sales goals, growing customer relationships, and driving profitable business results.
- Experience working with a food broker, retail customer, manufacturer, or major national consumer products organization preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing sales professionals or cross-functional teams.
- Strong background in sales strategy, marketing, merchandising, analytics, business planning, and customer relationship management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong leadership, coaching, interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to analyze sales, marketing, customer, category, and market data to develop actionable recommendations and effective sales presentations.
- Excellent business acumen with the ability to influence stakeholders, manage priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint; experience with sales analytics, category management, CRM, and retail communication tools preferred.
- Ability to develop fact-based selling concepts and communicate insights clearly to customers, principals, and internal stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Physical Requirements:
- Sit for extended periods (typically 6+ hours per day)
- Use a computer, including keyboard and mouse, for prolonged periods
- Lift and carry light items (e.g., files, office supplies, laptops, typically 20+ pounds)
- Reach, bend, or stoop occasionally to access files or office materials
- Maintain focus and attention for long periods of desk-based work
- Follow clear directions
- Perform repetitive motions (e.g., typing, clicking) consistently throughout the day
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree (Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field)
- 10+ years of experience in consumer-packaged goods, sales, account management, category management, or related sales leadership
- Prior Winco experience
- Proven track record of achieving sales goals, growing customer relationships, and driving profitable results
- Experience working with a food broker, retail customer, manufacturer, or major national consumer products organization
- Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing sales professionals or cross-functional teams
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience with sales analytics, category management, CRM, and retail communication tools
- Strong leadership, negotiation, presentation, relationship-building, and analytical skills
- Ability to lift and carry light items (~20+ pounds) and perform extended desk-based work
What We Do
Acosta is an integrated sales and marketing services provider that enables consumer packaged goods brands and retailers to win in the modern marketplace by delivering progressive solutions and exceptional service. With more than 90 years of experience, Acosta understands evolving consumer needs and helps its clients and customers stay a step ahead, fueling their accelerated performance. For more information, please visit www.acosta.com.








