Vice President of Retail Sales

Location: Sterling, VA, USA
Salary: $145,000 per year

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Vice President of Retail Sales to 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-market, and club retail channels, building strategic customer relationships, and driving revenue and profitability.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive 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 for sous vide product lines, including ready-to-eat proteins, side dishes, and meal kits.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales team, including regional directors, account managers, and broker networks.
• Develop and maintain relationships with major retail partners to expand product placement, promotional opportunities, and category growth.
• Lead customer negotiations, trade spending management, and joint business planning.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Culinary teams to align product innovation with consumer trends and retailer requirements.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain teams to support accurate forecasting, inventory management, and on-time delivery.
• Monitor competitive activity and market trends to identify opportunities for differentiation and business growth.
• Represent the business at trade shows, culinary events, and industry forums.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a 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 success in launching and scaling new products in retail environments.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with consumer education related to sous vide cooking and premium food positioning.
• Experience collaborating with culinary teams and translating food trends into retail sales strategies.
• Proven success in building brand presence across natural and conventional retail channels.