The Opportunity:

This position will have responsibility for the management and performance of the Maple Leaf’s national foodservice business. In this role, the right candidate will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to drive profitable revenue at existing accounts and to penetrate new accounts. The candidate will have accountability for developing relationships and setting the strategy for national accounts within the US.

The National Account Manager will be responsible for overseeing sales activities to achieve maximum market penetration and growth in all foodservice channels, including the currently defined strategic areas within commercial and non-commercial pillars. This role will entail both strategic and tactical activities including developing and implementing programs to maximize Maple Leaf Foods’ short and long range sales growth objectives and managing brokers.

The right candidate is a hands on leader who can operate at the local/regional level and also take ownership of Corporate Accounts & Customers, manage and negotiate all senior level relationships & contracts: Distributors (Regional, national), Multi-Units (multi-regional, national), Contract Management (multi-regional, national, regional), GPOs;  This instrumental business leader will work in close collaboration with other functional leaders on the overall Maple Leaf Foods team to drive top-line growth and gain overall market share in the US.

Most critically, the successful candidate will have a proactive approach to sales development – addressing day-to-day operating issues as well as providing strategic input.  He/she will be involved in personal account selling to achieve planned sales and profit growth goals.

A key to success will be to bring essential professional sales management skills to this role in areas such as: key account management, planning and forecasting, new product introduction plans, management and coordination of trade promotion programs, and an ability to drive significant distribution gains and sales growth across channels.   

This will report to the Sales Director, US Foodservice. 

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by May 21. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Develop business plans and strategies and cultivate high growth partnerships that lead to profitable growth.
• Maximize sales volume and gross profit.
• Leverage fact-based analysis to manage the business. Establish measurements and goals for an ambitious go-to-market strategy, supported by a comprehensive, analytically grounded sales approach.  
• Within a start-up mode environment, put in place business evaluation measures, using both quantitative and qualitative data, to assess business performance, competitive trends and new opportunities.  Stay abreast of competitive actions, trends and emerging marketplace needs.
• Develop and manage annual sales forecast by customer and provide Maple Leaf Foods leadership with regular updates on the results, challenge, opportunities and competitive actions.
• Lead development of channel specific trade promotion strategies, driving for efficiency of spend and manage overall trade budget. 
• Ensure company objectives and strategies are clearly communicated throughout the sales team and to customers.
• Create an operating culture where individuals are motivated, have clear direction, and opportunity for success and are regularly provided constructive assessment on performance.
• Proven, senior level, success in sales leadership with respected food companies serving diverse customers, including direct key account & channel responsibility. 
• Extensive contacts and relationships with key decision makers.
• In-depth knowledge of, and experience working with, all customer segments of the United States foodservice channel including, chain accounts, on-site/contract management accounts, GPO’s, distributors, re-distributors, and buying groups.
• Demonstrated success delivering aggressive sales goals, originating strategic initiatives and building efficient “best-of-class” selling organizations in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Experience in negotiating and managing effective, growth-oriented trade programs that adhere to budgeted financial objectives.
• Ideally, experience in both large and small companies thereby possessing both an entrepreneurial spirit and a comfort level with process management that is typical in larger organizations.
• Experience in and knowledge of the plant-based protein category is highly desirable but not mandatory.
• A college degree is required.
• Travel of 30% is expected.
• A high energy, team-oriented manager who has a passion for growing both the top and bottom lines.  A person who leads by example and who instills confidence in his or her staff.  Someone who enjoys rolling up his/her sleeves while working in a team-centric environment.  An energetic yet mature individual with demonstrated leadership and business building skills and a track record of outstanding sales results.
• A thought leader, someone who has demonstrated success at combining creative and strategic initiatives with well-grounded practices designed to move product, brand and corporate initiatives forward.  A creative, imaginative individual who has the business acumen, curiosity and ability to work across a diverse set of products and business interests, bringing rational focus to the efforts.
• A non-political, entrepreneurial team player who can quickly establish himself/herself as a trusted member of the overall US Sales & Marketing leadership team and be relied upon to get things done. Identifies closely with, and is passionately committed to, the achievement of the company’s overall mission.
• An effective, charismatic and influential leader with a high degree of drive, energy and the ability to consistently produce results.  One who possess the experience and personality necessary to gain the respect of executives at all levels of an organization and with customer’s organizations.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to sell ideas and concepts to various stakeholders, internal and external to the organization.  Strong presentation skills in the full range from one-on-one to large audience settings.

What we have to offer you:

• Salary Range: $125,000 to $145,000 USD depending on experience
• Eligible for an annual performance-based bonus
• Career development opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401K plan with company match
• Paid time off and holidays

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

We’re a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.

Disclaimer:  Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board.  Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.

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