Nichols Farms Hiring for VP of Sales & Marketing at Hanford, CA Full Time

Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than two decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and exceptional service in supplying pistachio and almond products to major retail and wholesale clients domestically and internationally. Nichols Farms maintains a state-of-the-art processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team in their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms possesses a strong employee-oriented environment dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision supports a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Vice President of Sales & Marketing is a position that will lead the company’s initiatives in the development of strategic branding, marketing, and sales as well as new product development. The VP of Sales & Marketing is a member of the executive management team and is responsible for contributing to the strategic direction of the company, the development of executional plans for success, and ensuring implementation of all aspects of the sales and marketing initiatives contained within the organization’s plans. Reporting to the President, the VP of Sales & Marketing will be an accomplished leader with proven experience in building, managing, and scaling a high-performing sales & marketing organization. This enthusiastic leader will work to ensure that the team is working effectively, put in place the discipline and rigor necessary for high performance, and develop a comprehensive strategy that will facilitate growth and profitability. The VP of Sales & Marketing is responsible for managing all aspects of a strategic sales program including growing the client base, increasing volume and/or profitability with the existing client base, controlling expenses, and directing his/her staff. As an executive leader within the organization, the ideal candidate will share a passion for generating the highest returns possible while being a significant contributor to the long-term success of Nichols Farms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

SALES

• Develop a sales plan to support the growth of the company that is aligned with the marketing and branding strategic plans.
• Develop a sales organizational structure that will lead to mutual success within the department and organization as a whole.
• Oversee the development of customer business plans for growth in existing accounts and new business.
• Drive the internal process for improving strategic customer relationships and customer services by account.
• Develop and participate in selected customer sales presentations, providing analytical perspective on industry, category, and product trends.

MARKETING

• Develop and execute a defined marketing and communications strategy that supports business growth and enhances brand awareness that is aligned with the brand strategy.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Company’s marketing plans for all products and market segments which may encompass advertising, promotion, pricing, public relations, identity, creative design, product development, promotional and merchandising programs, and support services.
• Collect customer and competitor data for analysis on where to grow the business and develop successful marketing and sales growth plans.
• Conduct customer account performance reviews and ensure the effective use and analysis of sales data and forecasts, along with market intelligence, to evaluate product and account performance and initiate action plans to improve supply chain, sales, and marketing results.
• Build relationships with the media and PR team to create effective strategies for all organizational communications.
• Develop organizational marketing events to support the overall vision, mission, and core values of the company to support the brand.
• Develop consumer educational and promotional programs to educate all stakeholders on consumer buying preferences.

BRAND GROWTH

• Improve and maintain the branding strategy for the success of the organization’s future growth.
• Improve and maintain brand marketing and sales strategies that identify, build, and sustain relationships to drive revenue/profitability growth, provide succinct messaging and build the integrity of the brand.
• Develops and maintains brand marketing guidelines and policies.
• Through effective communication and diligent monitoring, protect the brand from internal and external threats.
• Develop standardized branded messages and appearance in all materials including packaging, marketing, and communication materials to ensure consistency.
• Strives for improved customer service and consumer satisfaction to support the integrity of the brand.
• Monitor, compile, and disseminate relevant competitor data.

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

• Work with the executive management team to review & improve the current process for new product development and establish standards for proposing new products.
• Assist the organization at identifying new products to consider.
• Develop the marketing, promotional and sales plans for new products.

ADMINISTRATION

• Develop proposed departmental structure to plan, organize and manage all areas related to the sales, marketing, and new product development functions within the organization.
• Develop job descriptions that meet the departmental structure; lead the search to select the best candidate for open positions.
• Develop and monitor sales, marketing, and new product development budgets.
• Prepare periodic reports and presentations for the executive management team, shareholders, board members, employees, and growers.

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Leadership: Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to change in the workplace. Capable of functioning in a fast-paced entrepreneurial corporate setting.
• People development: Ability to develop and coach team, and to identify team member opportunities and strengths.
• Detail orientated: Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Interpersonal: Ability to effectively build relationships with co-workers and external customers
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills
• Prioritization: Ability to quickly prioritize among numerous pressing tasks and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Initiative: Ability to perform in a fast-paced ever-changing work environment
• Goal orientation: Attention to establishing and achieving goals and objectives for self and team on a continuous basis.
• Motivation: Ability to be self-motivated and independently driven. Ability to lead and encourage team by inspiring and guiding toward goal achievement.
• Team involvement: Works effectively with teams and work groups. Actively participates in problem solving and interacts with team and work groups to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Continuous improvement: Active participant in continuous improvement initiatives and goals. Seeks opportunities to improve self and processes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A BA/BS degree (e.g., business, marketing, or agriculture) is desirable and/or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 15 years in sales & marketing, new product development, and brand growth
• A comprehensive knowledge of a grower, packer, shipper, processor business model.
• Proficiency working with ERP systems and BI tools (i.e., Sage X3 and Tableau)
• Understanding of U.S. retail market; retail sales experience and strong retail relationships at a senior level

• Ability to plan and manage at both strategic and tactical levels.
• Demonstrated results in identifying clients, presenting proposals, and closing sales.
• Excellent verbal and written skills as well as the ability to make presentations.
• Exceptional ability to conceptualize large-picture projects and foresee challenges and needs to be addressed
• Strong problem-solving skills; analytical and data-driven; able to come up with creative solutions to unique challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to develop cross-functional relationships

• • Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks and meet constant deadlines with strong attention to detail and quality control
  • Strong organization skills with the ability to execute multiple parallel projects

• Strong written and oral communication skills; able to converse effectively across all levels of the organization and with external entities

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand for periods of time at workstation, climb stairs at high heights. Ability to work and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as designated by the company. Primary work environment will be in an office setting. Some work includes being inside the plant manufacturing environment which may include high levels of noise, working outside where the environment includes exposure to hot, cold, and inclement weather.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V