VP of Sales, Service, and Retail Development

Kinsa is recruiting for a: Vice President of Sales, Service & Retail DevelopmentLocation: Greater New Haven, CT (Onsite 5 days/week) Our client is a well-established food wholesale and retail distribution organization with a strong reputation in the Northeast market. They are seeking a Vice President of Sales, Service & Retail Development to personally drive revenue growth, expand retail partnerships, and build scalable commercial capabilities across the business. This is a hands-on, player-leader role designed for a senior commercial executive who leads from the front - owning key customer relationships, actively participating in negotiations, and working side-by-side with sales, operations, supply chain, category management, marketing, and finance. Compensation & Benefits:$225,000-$275,000 base salary, depending on experience and scope Meaningful performance-based bonus tied to revenue, margin, and growth Comprehensive benefits package Clear growth path and target timeline in place Key Responsibilities and Goals: Personally lead and execute annual and multi-year sales growth strategies, owning results across revenue, margin, and market share. Maintain direct ownership of key strategic customer relationships, including senior-level engagement, contract negotiations, and expansion opportunities. Actively participate in customer meetings, ride-alongs, pricing discussions, deal structuring, and issue resolution. Drive disciplined sales execution through goal-setting, KPIs, pipeline management, and accountability. Identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities across wholesale, retail, foodservice, private label, e-commerce, and emerging channels. Lead, coach, and develop regional sales leaders and counselors through hands-on mentorship and field engagement. Build and sustain a high-performance, customer-centric sales culture focused on urgency, ownership, and follow-through. Partner closely with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure service levels, accurate forecasting, and cost discipline. Collaborate with Category Management and Marketing on go-to-market strategies, promotions, and customer-specific programs. Work with Finance on pricing strategy, margin management, profitability analysis, and budgeting. Support broader business initiatives including real estate matters, legal agreements, AR/collections, and industry/government affairs participation. Competencies Needed for Success: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field required; MBA preferred. 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience in food wholesale, CPG, or retail distribution. Proven success as a hands-on commercial leader who personally drives growth and owns outcomes. Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and executive presence. Deep understanding of food products and commodity-driven businesses. Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence operations, finance, and supply chain. Established retail relationships and positive industry reputation preferred. Referrals are our best source for the top talent our clients need. If you know someone with these skills in the food and beverage industry, please pass along their name and contact information or share this posting. Kinsa pays referral bonuses when a referral is hired by our client.Check out our other food and beverage industry career opportunities at: ? https://www.kinsa.com/food-beverage-industry-jobs/#! Recruiter Information:Stephanie Matticestephaniem@kinsa.com