Vice President, Sales Operations: West

VP, Sales Operations: West

Utz Quality Foods is seeking a Vice President of Sales Operations: West to join our Sales team. Leading the sales teams in assigned geographies, the Vice President of Sales Operations creates and executes sales strategies; ensures the achievement of Sales Objectives in a sustainable and profitable manner; analyzes and prepares sales forecasts; attracts, retains and develops top talent; ensures that the team has an excellent working relationship with all customers and Independent Operators/Distributors; protects and grows market share; improves Direct Store Delivery (DSD) route capacity by achieving route split objectives and sales center upgrades; and ensures that safety is a priority.

Location required: Orange County/Los Angeles County, CA, Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ or San Leandro, CA.

Responsibilities

• Develops and influences sales team members and partners at multiple levels.
• Demonstrates proper and effective leadership to all Independent Operators/Distributors.
• Creates, finalizes, and executes sales forecasts, strategies, and objectives in the assigned regions. Creates and implements new ideas and contingency plans to achieve assigned objectives.
• Achieves all annual financial budgets (Salaries, T&E, warehouse labor).
• Studies market analysis figures furnished by the sales analytics team, evaluating market share, insights, and consumer trends to ensure that Utz continues to grow.
• Works with the Supply Chain team to optimize product mix in the warehouses and on the store shelves.
• Evaluates competitor’s sales activities to determine opportunities for Utz.
• Leads the sales team in sourcing new accounts.
• Develops and maintains an excellent working relationship with all customer management and account personnel through frequent contact. Makes necessary chain/key headquarter account calls as assigned.
• Represents Utz at tradeshows and other sales events as needed.
• Creates, executes, and tracks promotional plans across retailers, ensuring submissions are correct and align with overall strategy.
• Manages new product launches to ensure distribution is on schedule and new items hit shelves on time.
• Analyzes sales results, prepares reports, and delivers presentations on a timely basis.
• Communicates with the Sales Operations Directors on a daily basis to review results and focus areas, coaching and providing direction as needed.
• Communicates and coordinates with company executives and department heads for maximum achievements of sales, profits, and satisfied customers.
• Conducts regional sales meetings with team.
• Conducts quarterly meetings with Independent Operators/Distributors at all assigned sales centers (warehouses).
• Improves overall Independent Operators/Distributor engagement.
• Evaluates and maintains appropriate talent levels to ensure strong sales growth, a qualified bench for succession planning, and loyalty to the Utz Brand of products.
• Leads execution across all of the key customers.
• Ensures their team is developing skills by utilizing training programs and developmental opportunities.
• Analyzes sales routes within regions, consolidating routes and developing new routes as needed.
• Submits an itinerary and activity report on a weekly basis.
• Ensures that all authorized policies, programs, and instructions are communicated effectively.
• Oversees that facilities in the region meet Utz facility and safety standards.
• Ensures that Food Safety programs are followed.
• Performs other duties as assigned that will impact and support the overall outcome of the Company’s objectives.
• Travel: 60% to 70%.

Requirements

• 15+ years of relevant experience in DSD Sales and Operations.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with a proven track record of guiding, motivating, and developing high-performing sales teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and positive attitude, fostering innovation and adaptability within a dynamic sales environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regional sales management operations, with hands-on experience successfully leading teams to achieve ambitious sales targets.
• Exceptional collaboration skills, able to work effectively across all organizational levels and partner closely with sales teams in both market and warehouse settings.
• Outstanding communication capabilities, including delivering presentations, facilitating meetings, and producing high-quality written materials.
• Strong business acumen with deep insight into company objectives, market dynamics, and organizational culture.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and other industry-standard software for data analysis, reporting, and presentations.
• Expertise in leveraging technology and software solutions to drive sales strategy, including forecasting, analytics, and budgeting.
• Experience in interpreting IRI and retailer data to inform and implement effective sales strategies.
• Superior time management skills, capable of prioritizing tasks and managing multiple projects to meet organizational goals.
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel weekly, including overnight accommodations, throughout a sizeable territory is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years proven sales experience in a related position within the consumer products goods industry with direct account responsibility.
• 3+ years of experience utilizing syndicated data.
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate several sources of data to develop actionable insights.
• This position requires extensive use of computer equipment. Must have demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft business software to include Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook. Familiarity with Nielsen or IRI programs is preferred.
• Requires a valid driver’s license.

External Recruitment Process

• Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
• Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
• Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.

Salary Range: $200,000 to $240,000