Chief of Sales (Confidential Search)
Location: United States
Our client, a well-established, family-owned row crop (vegetable) operation, is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Chief of Sales to lead and elevate its commercial function. This organization is intentionally building a more aligned and market-focused sales strategy to better support customer partnerships, production capabilities, and long-term growth initiatives.
This individual will play a critical leadership role, serving as the bridge between farm operations and the marketplace. The ideal candidate brings both strategic vision and hands-on execution, with a strong understanding of agricultural markets, retail dynamics, and customer-driven sales strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded leader who thrives in relationship management, retail partnership development, and building scalable go-to-market strategies within fresh produce.
Responsibilities - Lead the strategic direction of the sales function, aligning commercial efforts with production capabilities and long-term business goals
- Develop and execute customer-focused sales and retail marketing strategies that strengthen market presence and drive sustainable growth
- Serve as the primary liaison between farm operations and the sales team, ensuring strong communication, alignment, and execution
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing sales team, including defining structure, roles, and performance expectations
- Collaborate with ownership to strengthen branding, retail positioning, promotional strategy, and customer engagement initiatives
- Manage and strengthen key retail, wholesale, and channel partner relationships while identifying new market opportunities
- Partner with customers on merchandising, category planning, and retail marketing initiatives to support sales growth and visibility
- Utilize industry software and tools (including ERP systems) for forecasting, planning, and customer management
- Ensure alignment between sales commitments, pricing strategies, customer programs, and production realities
- Represent the organization with professionalism across customers, partners, retailers, and industry stakeholders
Desired Profile
Core Traits:
- Strategic and forward-thinking, with the ability to execute
- Strong leadership presence with a collaborative, team-building mindset
- Excellent communicator with the ability to bridge sales, marketing, and operations
- Commercially minded with a strong understanding of customer engagement and retail-driven decision making
- Adaptable, with an appreciation for the seasonal and fast-paced nature of agriculture
- High level of ownership, accountability, and integrity
Experience & Background:
- Proven leadership experience in sales within agriculture, produce, food, or a related industry
- Strong retail marketing and customer partnership experience within fresh produce or CPG environments highly preferred
- Demonstrated success working with retail accounts, category management, merchandising programs, or go-to-market strategies
- Strong understanding of supply chains, customer expectations, and market dynamics preferred
- Experience working closely with farm or production teams is highly valued
- Familiarity with industry software platforms preferred
- Willingness to travel and spend extended time on-site during peak production seasons
De Lacy Executive Recruitment offers professional recruitment services for employers and candidates in Agriculture and Food & Beverage Processing. The De Lacy Executive team of professionals are committed to exceeding the expectations of those we serve. For more information about our services please call 800.672.8552 or email advisor@delacyexecutive.com