POSITION PURPOSE: 

Responsible for establishing and executing major goals and objectives for Pro Organics division of UNFI Canada, Inc.  Responsible for division profitability.  Provide leadership, strategic direction and execution of responsibilities focused on growing the business, implementing plans and strategies in line with the company culture and goals as well as the improvement of internal business controls, daily operations and sales financials.  Oversee company’s operations to ensure efficiency, quality, service and cost-effective management of resources. Coordinates major activities through subordinates.  Represents the company to regulatory agencies, distributors, and community organizations

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES: 

• Develops a strategic plan to advance the company’s mission and objectives and to grow revenue and profitability

• Coordinates and control of the business plan, profitability and culture.

• Reviews activity reports and financial statements to determine progress and status in meeting objectives; revises objectives and plans in accordance with current and future conditions

• Recruits, retains, motivates, coaches, counsels, mentors and develops focused, goal-orientated leadership and management team members.

• Provides a model of supportive and participatory leadership promoting the concepts of empowerment, leadership and team building.

• Oversees and manages the preparation of all annual sales budgets. Monitor overall conditions to meet customer service objectives and budgetary goals.

• Drives division performance to ensure achievement of key performance metrics

• Communicates job expectations, performance goals and company standards to ensure customer service standards are achieved

• Develops, implements and meets financial budgetary guidelines including sales, margin, operating expenses and net profits.

• Drives sales, profitability and relationships through division team management.

• Responsible for Customer and Supplier relationships, expectations development and management.

• Provides strategies and creative solutions to grow existing customer accounts sales and profitability; develops new profitable business.

• Provides accurate, timely financial guidance for forecasting to senior leadership.

• Implements and drives national programs to drive company initiatives and performance.

• Observes all safety policies and procedures. Embraces a high regard for safety, leading and serving as a role model for others.

• Follows all established food safety guidelines in accordance with risk management and governmental rules and regulations.

• Establishes and leads an effective Sales team; performs all necessary supervisory functions to effectively and efficiently manage associates assigned, including:

• Maintains existing customers and revenue; develop and grow customer business, partnerships and relationships through staff.

• Manages Sales Team administration, including accounts receivables, time off and attendance scheduling, expense and travel budgets/reports, monthly sales reports, sales forecasts and other requested reports. Coordinate scheduling with other Sales Team Leader(s) and/or President.

• Develops and maintains relationships and partnerships with key Pro Organics/UNFI departments and colleagues.

• Provides strategies and creative solutions for assigned accounts.

• Works with team to control gross profit margin, customer credit, monitor credit and payment histories for each customer.

• Responsible for the development and implementation of effective Supply Chain planning, methodology, and policy development

• Responsible for all purchasing strategic planning processes and associated project management systems

• Develops, implements, and manages the strategic planning process related to ERP systems

• Conducts periodic reviews of existing systems, technologies, products and procedures and provides recommendations regarding improvements in service delivery, process, methods, standards and equipment needs which will further fulfill Company’s Supply Chain objectives

• Ensures Supply Chain functions are well coordinated with related departments including Operations, Sales & Logistics

• Ensures appropriate and effective purchasing research projects are developed and implemented

• Monitors and measures purchasing department goals for service level, shrink, inventory levels, and DOH

• Performs all duties and responsibilities in a highly ethical manner and in accordance with Company policies and procedures; embody these behaviors in a leadership role, serving as a role model for others.

• Effectively communicate areas of responsibility, performance expectations and execution of team goals;

• Identifying ways to inspire a drive for process improvement;

• Facilitating resolution of customer issues, ensuring order fulfillment;

• Conducting timely and effective associate evaluations

• Ensuring proper training of associates

• Fostering a cooperative and harmonious work environment to maximize employee morale and productivity.

COMPETENCIES

• Hands-on, energetic and motivated self-starter with strong sense of urgency; able to work and excel in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to think strategically, understand industry trends and dynamics, and visualize and develop long term plans.
• Excellent understanding of issues relevant to the organization and business; able to keep updated and effectively utilize cross-functional knowledge. Able to make decisions that enhance the Company’s financial position.
• Able to establish realistic budgets, utilizing financial and quantitative information to effectively manage the business.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed sales budgets and develop executive sales strategies and account planning to meet or exceed sales goals.
• Able to systematically gather relevant information, considering broad ranges of issues/factors. Ability to grasp complexities and perceive relationships among problems/issues.
• Able to recognize high pay-off strategies and prioritize team efforts. Considers a broad range of internal/external factors when solving problems and making decisions; adjusts actions to focus on critical strategic issues (i.e. customers, quality, competition, etc.).
• Able to develop short/long term plans that are appropriately comprehensive, realistic and effective in meeting Company goals; able to integrate planning across units.
• Capable of fostering the development of a common vision, providing clear direction and priorities, while clarifying roles and responsibilities.
• Able to effectively assign responsibilities, delegating and empowering others to do assignments. Capable of removing, allowing for and contributing necessary resources.  Able to coordinate work efforts when necessary.
• Capable of leading courageously: willing and able to address difficult issues; puts self on the line to deal with important problems; stands firm when necessary.
• Strong coaching and development skills. Able to accurately assess employee strengths and development needs; capable of providing timely, specific feedback and helpful coaching; able to provide challenging assignments and opportunities for development.
• Excellent listening and comprehension skills. Demonstrates attention to and conveys understanding of comments and questions from others; listens well in a group.
• Strong sense of urgency while remaining calm under pressure; able to drive for closure; persistent in the face of obstacles and opposition.
• Demonstrated principled leadership and sound business ethics; shows consistency among principles, values and behavior. Able to build trust through own authenticity and commitment to follow-through.
• Able to develop and maintain effective, positive internal/external working relationships with a diverse group of individuals throughout the organization and exemplify these qualities in a leadership role.
• Excellent presentation and written/verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation; able to creatively, skillfully and effectively handle customer issues.
• Strong initiative and problem-solving skills; ability to resolve issues skillfully, appropriately, and in a timely manner.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills with ability excel in an open, dynamic, collaborative and fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously; able to effectively prioritize and plan work activities for self and others.
• Competent computer skills, including MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook; ability to learn and adapt to new computer applications, system upgrades and other technology as necessary.

Required Skills

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or similar discipline or equivalent training and experience
• Valid driver’s license

EXPERIENCE:

• 10+ years sales and management / leadership experience, preferably in a perishable food distribution, retail or wholesale environment.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE:   

• Thorough knowledge of the Organics industry
• Demonstrated experience meeting and exceeding sales budgets.
• Competent working with sales systems and MS Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to demonstrate high level of personal initiative to achieve goals and objectives.
• Able to develop and execute sales strategies and account planning to exceed sales goals.
• Ability to lead, coach, inspire, motivate and train sales associates.
• Innovative, forward thinker, able to anticipate issues/opportunities and work through obstacles and potential roadblocks.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly open, dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Ability to drive sales in a customer-centered environment.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong oral/written communication and presentation skills.

Required Experience

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or similar discipline or equivalent training and experience
• Valid driver’s license

EXPERIENCE:

• 10+ years sales and management / leadership experience, preferably in a perishable food distribution, retail or wholesale environment.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE:   

• Thorough knowledge of the Organics industry
• Demonstrated experience meeting and exceeding sales budgets.
• Competent working with sales systems and MS Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to demonstrate high level of personal initiative to achieve goals and objectives.
• Able to develop and execute sales strategies and account planning to exceed sales goals.
• Ability to lead, coach, inspire, motivate and train sales associates.
• Innovative, forward thinker, able to anticipate issues/opportunities and work through obstacles and potential roadblocks.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly open, dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Ability to drive sales in a customer-centered environment.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong oral/written communication and presentation skills.