Regional Sales Manager

Pasta Montana is a dry pasta manufacturer located in beautiful Great Falls Montana.

This is a remote position in the United States ~ our preferred locations are in the Western or Midwest USA. Extensive travel required; valid US Passport required.

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF: Five years foodservice and/or industrial sales experience with a major food processor (preferably pasta) or foodservice distributor.

The primary function of this position is to increase sales volume by growing sales with current customers while simultaneously seeking to acquire new food service and industrial customers. This function requires execution and alignment with the company’s objectives of maintaining or increasing sales margin opportunity, overall volume growth and carefully maintaining customer satisfaction. The Regional Sales Manager is primarily self-directed and self-motivated, works under little supervision and will have direct sales contact with both distributor customers and end-user customers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Coordinate company philosophies with regards to products, pricing, availability, product uses, and credit terms. This includes the ability to analyze, comprehend, recall, and communicate to clients and others within the organization detailed information about product types, product pricing, product market segments, and purchase terms. This requires focus, close attention to details, and mental alertness.

Recommend products and applications to customers based on customer’s needs and to facilitate ideas and solutions in foodservice and industrial operation segment. This includes the ability to communicate in an efficient, effective, and professional manner with customers, both verbally and in writing. Responsible for providing up-to-date information on products, including variety of information and pricing, and analyzing and anticipating the needs of customers based on the company’s production capacities, profitability margins, and the regional competitive landscape for pricing.

Monitor market conditions and trends, product innovations and competitors’ products and prices and report information obtained to Sales and Management teams. This includes the ability to collect, retain, recall, analyze, and communicate market share data, product information, competitor products, pricing, and market competitiveness, and related tasks. This requires attention to detail, ongoing focus on analyzing and absorbing large amounts of data, mental alertness and focus on developing sales strategies based on that.

Work cooperatively with Sales and Management teams to develop market strategies, creative operational ideas, sales opportunities, product pricing and annual sales department budget. This includes the ability to understand capacity utilization and distribution constraints to optimize opportunities to maximize profitability, identify competitive advantages, and develop strategies to leverage those advantages for marginal profitability increases. This requires close attention to detail, recall of details, focus, and mental alertness.

Schedule, set up and work food shows; organize market visits, execute effective demonstrations and product trainings to distributor and end user customers. This includes the ability to set up food show booth quickly and efficiently, and coordinate meeting schedules, while communicating with existing and potential new customers with professionalism.

Maintain and control marketing expenses and price lists. This includes the ability to track marketing expenditures, communicate rebates and marketing spends in a timely manner with Accounts Payable and the Executive Vice President, and to track customer price lists to ensure that notices of price revisions are communicated in a timely manner so as to not delay implementation of new pricing.

Manage, train, and supervise food brokers in all sales department functions. This includes the ability to teach by example how to communicate effectively with customers including the ability to understand the competitive landscape, the differences between competitor and Pasta Montana products, plate cost analysis and production capabilities, as well as current product mix and capabilities.

Performs other duties and attends meetings as assigned by the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and/or by Senior Management. This includes handling product quality issues and communicating all necessary information to Senior Management, Accounts Receivable and Production, the ability to analyze and understand the market and provide insightful contribution to discussion on new marketing as well as sales employee satisfaction and motivation strategies. Attendance at various meetings is required unless prior approval has been granted for missing these meetings. This requires attention to detail, focus, alertness and active monitoring of Outlook calendar invites, emails, and text messages that notify of upcoming meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications.

Minimum Experience: Five years foodservice and/or industrial sales experience with a major food processor (preferably pasta) or foodservice distributor.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Working knowledge and familiarity of pasta manufacturing, practices, procedures, and operations. Expertise in verbal and written communication is essential. Proven strategic marketing ability to define product requirements and appropriate pricing. Must have good organizational skills and consistently exercise good judgment. The ability to learn and instruct others in detailed procedures. Complete understanding of pasta/food production theory. Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills. Must be able to work independently, plan, organize and prioritize responsibilities. Understanding of personnel and safety standards. Excellent mathematical and analytical skills. The ability to learn and instruct others in detailed procedures. Able to function as a motivated team leader in a highly dynamic environment.

Other Qualifications: Action oriented, with superior analytical skills. A strong wit and sense of humor is desirable. Should be comfortable in all social settings and able to fit in with all levels of management, co-workers, customers, vendors and the public. Working knowledge of computer systems and software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation materials are desirable. Efficient in the use of computer automated systems, and software including word-processing, spreadsheets, database, and SAP programs. Willing to teach team members skill-based training. Solution-seeking attitude a must.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sitting Frequent Reaching Rarely

Standing Occasional Manual Dexterity Frequent

Walking Occasional Telephone Frequent

Kneeling Rarely Computer Screen Frequent

Bending Rarely Lifting 40lbs

Sitting for periods of time and telephone work. Frequent travel and overnight travel required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel as classified.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.