Sales Market Manager - Southern California

Finding the right place to grow your career isn’t (over) easy, so we’re here to help by sharing a few reasons why the grass is greener at Vital Farms. We think you’ll appreciate our focus on Conscious Capitalism, which drives business decisions that benefit all our stakeholders (leading to even better business results). You might be drawn to our innovative approach and refusal to settle for the “way things have always been done.” Or you could find it exciting to grow your skills while working for an industry-leading brand. Whether you’re into our values, our brand, or our egg-cellent puns, we hope you’ll join our Crew and help us change the world 108 square feet at a time!

At Vital Farms, we are proud of our incredible stakeholders, and the diversity they represent from all areas and communities in which we operate and serve. We view this as a source of strength for us and your job is to help us make it even better.

Your Role:

Reporting to the Senior Regional Sales Manager, this individual will grow our regional presence in Southern California. The Southern California region features unique retailers, diverse needs, and personalities, as well as strong competition. Our ideal candidate for the role is personable, competitive, and resourceful, as well as able to utilize syndicated data to help gain new distribution. This role will work independently and collaboratively with business development, trade management, and the category team to help Vital Farms succeed at regional accounts. 

What You'll Do:

• Visit regional independent retailers to build relationships, earn trust, and provide customer-first solutions
• Manage headquarter sales calls for key Southern California region existing/potential customers  
• Build and maintain rapport with key distributors and customers; identify new customer opportunities
• Build a strategic and collaborative annual trade promotion calendar for key customers and execute distributor promotions for independent accounts
• Create meaningful presentations for category reviews using category, brand, and item insights to capitalize on opportunities
• Accurate and timely forecasts for expected demand, trade plan, and promotional trade spend
• Manage category reviews across dairy to maximize and advance Vital Farms innovation and existing items in retail accounts
• Perform retail level store checks in all markets as needed to ensure execution of initiatives and uncover opportunities
• Attend trade shows to represent the brand and develop sales opportunities
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships at key customers at the category manager level and engage in appropriate top to top interactions  
• Management of Vital Farms entire portfolio of ethically produced products  

What You Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) preferred  
• 3+ years of grocery sales and account management experience in the food industry; Dairy or Refrigerated experience preferred
• Must have demonstrated experience calling on Natural and Key Accounts throughout Southern California. Preference given to candidates with experience working with the following accounts:
  • Erewhon
  • Mother’s Market
  • H-Mart
  • 99 Ranch
  • Vallarta
  • Super King Market 

• Prior exposure to trade management including forecasting and promotions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, and Word) and trade management software
• Established relationships and demonstrated success working with key retailer accounts, and distributor relationships, including UNFI, KeHE and other local distributors like Hidden Villa
• Working knowledge and keen understanding of SPINS, IRI, Nielsen and other syndicated data platforms
• Candidate must live in Southern California region with the ability to travel as needed for customer appointments, store visits, headquarter calls, trade shows, team meetings, etc. 
• Anticipate 50% travel mainly to the surrounding Southern California region. Further travel may be required for larger events and team meetings
• Must have a state approved driver’s license in good standing including reliable access to a vehicle
• Broker management required
• Proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a remote environment while being highly adaptable, & resourceful
• Highly self-motivated and comfortable in negotiations 
• You’re no hero – You know the power of teamwork and celebrate the work of others before your own
• You give a sh*t – You believe in acting like an owner and making Vital Farms a place to be proud of
• You raise the standards – You know growth can be hard, but you strive to improve yourself and others each day
• You can walk in someone else’s boots – You seek to understand other’s viewpoints and think that you get to better answers by sitting on the same side of the table
• You don’t walk on eggshells – You’re not afraid to leave the bullsh*t behind and have honest conversations 

What We Bring to the Table:

• A fast-paced, energetic, remote environment with passionate people who are leading a movement to bring ethically produced food to the table.
• Competitive pay and benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Paid Parental Leave, just to name a few).
• Generous retirement contributions: 401(k) + 3% Contribution from Day 1.
• Annual bonus and equity grant (subject to business results and company approval)
• Free eggs and butter, along with friends and family discounts.
• Fun team SWAG that will make you the talk of the town.
• Professional development opportunities and an amazing team dedicated to your growth.

At Vital Farms, compensation decisions are dependent upon a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, skill level, experience, education, training, market demands, and business needs. A reasonable estimate of the current starting annual base salary for this position is $100,000 - $130,000. Please keep in mind that hiring at the maximum end of the range would not be typical in order to allow for potential continued future salary growth.