National Sales Director- Deli/ Specialty Cheese

Position Summary: We are seeking a strategic and results-driven National Sales Director – Cheese & Deli Sales to lead and expand our national cheese and deli portfolio. This position is responsible for developing and executing national sales strategies, driving revenue growth, strengthening broker and distributor relationships, and expanding market share across retail, foodservice, and specialty channels. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership experience in specialty cheese and deli categories, deep industry relationships, and a proven track record of building high-performing sales teams while delivering profitable growth. Key Responsibilities: Sales Strategy & Revenue Growth: • Develop and execute a national sales strategy for cheese and deli categories aligned with company growth objectives. • Drive top-line revenue, gross margin expansion, and category profitability. • Identify new market opportunities, customer segments, and distribution channels. • Establish annual sales targets, forecasts, and KPIs. Leadership & Team Development: • Lead, coach, and develop BDM cheese/deli team. • Establish performance metrics and accountability standards. • Collaborate cross-functionally with procurement, operations, marketing, and finance teams. • Foster a culture of performance, collaboration, and customer-first execution. Customer & Broker Management: • Build and maintain strategic relationships with key national accounts, retail chains, foodservice operators, and specialty distributors. • Manage broker networks and ensure alignment with sales objectives. • Lead high-level negotiations with key customers and partners. • Conduct regular business reviews with major accounts. Category & Market Development: • Maintain strong knowledge of cheese and deli trends, innovations, and competitive landscape. • Partner with sourcing and product development teams to identify growth opportunities and new product introductions. • Support private label and exclusive product development initiatives. • Develop promotional strategies and category growth plans. Financial & Operational Oversight: • Oversee forecasting, budgeting, and P&L performance for the cheese and deli division. • Monitor inventory turns and collaborate with supply chain to ensure optimal product flow. • Analyze sales data and market trends to guide strategic decision-making. • Ensure compliance with company pricing and margin objectives. Position Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field. 3 to 5 Years’ experience in a sales and business development 3 to 5+ Years of experience in management/supervision Excellent financial management skills Advanced level of the Microsoft Office Suite Manage and revise annual business plans and budgets as needed Strong organizational and presentational skills Company Profile: Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Lipari Foods is a leading independent distributor built around global and specialty foods. With a customer-first mindset, they serve customers through 67 depots across 32 states and growing. Lipari brings the world’s most craveable flavors to shelf with an end-to-end approach that combines exclusive and owned brands, retail services, innovative tools, and dependable delivery across 10 categories including deli, bakery, frozen/dairy, specialty grocery, international specialty, meat/seafood, packaging, confections, foodservice/prepared foods, and convenience. Lipari Foods LLC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.