Sr Sales Director - Kroger Team

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together. 

We’re seeking a Senior Director of Sales to lead our strategic partnership with Kroger—one of our largest and most influential customers. This role owns the vision, strategy, and execution required to deliver net sales, volume, and EBIT growth across our frozen portfolio, including Pizza, Asian, and Desserts. As a highly visible leader, you will lead and guide your sales team, shape joint business plans that unlock mutual value, and influence decisions at the highest levels of both organizations. Based in our Cincinnati, OH Sales Office and reporting to the VP of Sales, this position offers the opportunity to drive transformational growth with a top national retailer while developing high-performing talent and advancing enterprise strategy.

What You Will Do:

• Own the end-to-end customer strategy, delivering annual and long-term growth plans aligned to revenue and profitability targets.
• Work with HQ cross-functional business teams consisting of brand leaders, trade marketing, consumer insights, R&D and finance to bring integrated, customer-centric solutions to market.
• Develop and execute Joint Business Plans that strengthen the P&L and create measurable value for both organizations.
• Translate strategy into compelling financial proposals, grounded in data, analytics, and category insights.
• Drive execution of customer priorities to expand brand presence and accelerate category growth.
• Leverage shopper, consumer, and market trends to identify new opportunities and competitive advantages.
• Establish clear performance metrics; continuously assess results and implement actions to exceed revenue objectives.
• Champion best-in-class project management and resource alignment to deliver complex initiatives.
• Lead high-stakes negotiations, modeling executive influence and building trusted senior-level relationships.
• Develop, coach, and retain top talent—fostering an accountable, collaborative, and high-engagement team culture.
• Travel approximately 10%.

What We Look For:

• Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred) with 10+ years of progressive CPG experience including field sales leadership; additional HQ experience in marketing, trade, category, or sales operations is a plus.
• Proven success selling to senior executives within national accounts and developing programs that drive branded growth with large-scale retailers like Kroger
• Strong strategic and analytical capabilities, with the ability to translate insights into clear, actionable business decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and align teams in a highly matrixed organization.
• Track record of building and retaining high-performing teams through competitive drive, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative, trust-based leadership style.

What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $153,000 to $255,000 annually, with eligibility for a 35% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance and car allowance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email career.search@schwans.com.