Thistle is looking for a self-motivated, organized and ambitious individual who thrives on the thrill of striking a new deal and building & nurturing strategic partnerships.

 

The Area Sales Manager is responsible for managing and maintaining relationships with accounts in the Bay Area of Northern California. We have one role open that would ideally be based in San Francisco, supporting a small but mighty Sales team in driving a new CPG/Retail strategy forward at a pivotal time. This role is accountable for driving sales while translating Thistle’s philosophy and objectives.  This position sells Thistle products to retail food stores, wholesale grocers, restaurants, hotels, or institutions by performing the following duties.

 

The ideal candidate will possess both an interest in developing a career in Sales as well as a passion for improving the lives of others by making plant-based meals more accessible for all - you don’t sell, you educate with empathy.

What You’ll Do:

• • • Principal Responsibilities: 
    • Travels through assigned territory to call on regular and prospective customers to solicit orders
    • Looks at territory with entrepreneurial eyes to seek out new opportunities to increase sales and activations
    • Establishes selling objectives and executes key asks with buyersMerchandises Thistle product at shelf, to include stocking product
    • Estimates date of delivery to customer, based on knowledge of own firm's production and delivery schedules
    • Investigates and resolves customer problems with deliveries.
    • Participates in overall sales strategy and execution for sale of Thistle
    • Establishes and maximizes brand presence in all selling opportunities.
    • Maximizes sales at current accounts using key marketing resources and retail execution at store level.
    • Opens new accounts in line with brand directives.
    • Void management throughout territory.
    • Establishes relationships with store/retail managers.
    • Maximizes POS exposure in each account.
    • Create and deliver presentations to educate various stakeholders (consumers, promotional staff, buyers, distributors) on Thistle’s brand, mission and products.

• • • Promotions and Special Events:
    • Sets up and participates in in-store promotions, demos, and special field marketing events.
    • Attends and represents brand at trade shows.
    • Assist with brand training for brand ambassador/promotional staff
    • Supply sufficient inventory of promotional merchandise and oversee proper distribution of same during the event

• • Administration:
  • Prepares reports of business transactions and keeps expense accounts
  • Prepares timely paperwork in a neat, legible, and professional manner
  • Keeps thorough and up to date notes on all existing and target accounts
  • Completes digital CRM entries after each sales call.

What You'll Bring

• • 1-3 years direct sales experience within food and/or bev CPG space
  • Demonstrated success building a brand or brands in a high growth category
  • Experience creating and delivering effective, clear, and compelling presentations.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Applications and Sales Force knowledge is a plus
  • Ability and means to travel to meet with customers, attend trade shows and work with distributors throughout Bay Area and Northern California.

Who You Are

• • • Interested in learning about Natural CPG industry, a knack for keeping up with industry trends, and passionate about health & wellness.
    • Willing to roll up sleeves to do whatever it takes to get the job done for the customer 
    • Strong communication skills, entrepreneurial work ethic, integrity, initiative and“can-do” attitude
    • Detail-oriented project owner, with strong attention-to-detail and a high workload capacity