National Retail Sales Manager / Director of Business Development

Frozen Food / Seafood / CPG Retail

(Title can be tailored based on experience and level)

Location

United States — preferably East Coast (NJ, NY, FL), though exceptional candidates in other regions will also be considered.

Remote / Hybrid with regular travel to retailers, distributors, brokers, and industry events.

About the Opportunity

We are representing a well-established international food manufacturer with a significant global footprint, supplying products to major markets across Europe, North America, and beyond. The organization is experiencing aggressive expansion in the United States and is seeking a high-impact sales leader to help accelerate retail growth nationwide.

This is a unique opportunity for a proven retail sales executive to take ownership of U.S. market expansion for an established international brand with strong operational backing, an extensive product portfolio, and long-term investment in growth.

The company already has the infrastructure, product portfolio, logistics support, and production capabilities in place — they are looking for the right sales professional who can leverage existing retail relationships and drive rapid market penetration.

The Role

This is a highly strategic and hands-on business development role focused on expanding retail distribution within major grocery chains and wholesale channels throughout the U.S.

The ideal candidate is someone who already possesses strong relationships with grocery buyers and category decision makers and has a demonstrated track record of successfully opening new retail accounts within frozen food, seafood, or broader CPG categories.

This is not an entry-level or developmental sales role. The company is specifically seeking an experienced industry professional who can make an immediate impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and expand relationships with regional and national grocery retailers
• Secure new product listings and drive retail expansion initiatives
• Leverage existing buyer and distributor relationships to accelerate growth
• Manage the complete sales process from initial introduction through execution:
• presentations
• pricing
• negotiations
• product onboarding
• promotional planning
• Partner with brokers, distributors, and logistics providers to ensure seamless execution
• Collaborate with marketing teams on promotional campaigns, demos, tastings, trade shows, and retail activation programs
• Analyze competitive activity, pricing trends, shelf positioning, and promotional strategies
• Provide sales forecasting, pipeline reporting, and strategic market feedback directly to executive leadership

Ideal Background

Required Experience

• Proven success selling frozen food, seafood, or consumer packaged goods into retail grocery channels
• Existing relationships with grocery buyers and category managers
• Experience working with major retailers and wholesale/distribution partners
• Demonstrated success opening new accounts and growing market share
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong “hunter” mentality
• Ability to operate independently while driving measurable results

Candidates without established retail buyer relationships will likely not be a fit for this particular opportunity.

Preferred Experience

• Experience launching or scaling imported/international food brands within the U.S. market
• Knowledge of retail promotional planning including TPRs, demos, tastings, and marketing programs
• Experience collaborating with brokers, distributors, and retail merchandising teams

Compensation

The compensation structure is designed to attract high-level sales professionals with established retail relationships and a proven track record of driving revenue growth.

Compensation will be tailored based on:

• industry experience
• existing retail relationships
• current compensation structure
• demonstrated ability to accelerate U.S. expansion

This opportunity is intended for accomplished professionals capable of making an immediate commercial impact.

What’s Being Offered

• Established international organization with substantial global production capabilities
• Diverse and growing product portfolio across frozen food and seafood categories
• Strong operational and logistics infrastructure already in place
• Marketing, warehouse, broker, and supply chain support
• Opportunity to play a major role in building and scaling U.S. retail presence
• High visibility with executive leadership and the ability to directly influence growth strategy

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