Regional Sales Manager - Convenience, Southeast Region - Topps - Atlanta, GA

Headquartered in New York, NY, The Topps Company is a leading creator and marketer of sports and entertainment products and distinctive confections. Topps’ North America Sports and Entertainment division produces trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games related to iconic global brands such as Major League Baseball, National Football League, Major League Soccer, Star Wars, English Premiere League, Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and World Wrestling Entertainment. The company has also expanded its portfolio of products to include digital trading cards. Topps Digital Apps produces, develops and operates mobile applications that give you access to an exclusive digital card collection at your fingertips that are sold via the Apple and Google app stores under the brand names BUNT, HUDDLE, KICK, and Star Wars Card Trader. Topps’ confectionery brands, which are marketed under its Bazooka Candy Brands division, include Bazooka bubble gum, Ring Pop, Push Pop, Baby Bottle Pop, Juicy Drop Pop and Chrunchkins confectionery items.

The Topps Company was founded in 1938 as Topps Chewing Gum, and in its early years produced a popular penny “Topps Gum” from a factory in Brooklyn, NY. After World War II, the company developed Bazooka Bubble Gum, and in 1950, added trading cards to its product line. Baseball cards appeared in 1951 and quickly became a vital part of pop culture, a tradition that continues to this day.

Topps was acquired in October of 2007 by Madison Dearborn Partners, a private equity group, and The Tornante Company, an investment company owned by Michael Eisner, former CEO of Disney. Although headquartered in New York City, Topps maintains offices in nine countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, India, Brazil and Argentina. The new ownership of the company has made significant infrastructure, business and cultural advancements.

For additional information please visit: www.topps.com and www.candymania.com

Bazooka Candy Brands (BCB), the confectionery division of The Topps Company, is seeking a Regional Sales Manager – Convenience for our Southeast Region ; with iconic brands including Ring Pop, Push Pop, Bazooka Bubblegum, Juicy Drop & Chrinchkins, BCB is one of the leading manufacturers & innovators of non-chocolate confections in the US. This role can be filled in the greater Atlanta – GA, Charlotte – NC , Nashville and Knoxville – TN areas.

Responsibilities:
Job Purpose:
This position is responsible for developing a sales strategy within a specific region for all company products.

Duties & Responsibilities

Manage strategic customer business relationships for the Southeastern Convenience Region.

Manage all broker business relationships – attain sales plans, achieve distribution objectives, develop and execute the channel strategic plan, set objectives, create and manage tactics to meet strategic objectives.

Responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive sales plan by customer.

Conducts detailed analysis of business trends in each account and for each brand to include: brand share, pricing, promotion levels, and trade class development; Formulates specific action plans to address problems and maximize opportunities.

Execute strategic sales process to generate sales opportunities – identify new sales opportunities, secure high-level appointments, and manage opportunities.

Achieve sales plan, both volume and profit, within trade spending budget.

Maximize merchandising visibility.

Planning, forecasting and reporting – Responsible for assisting in setting revenue expectations, forecasting special packs and high volume opportunities, and reporting information, achievements, and issues.

Build rapport with key buyers and senior management with the customer.

Negotiate terms of business with customers/brokers to achieve win/win results that provide the basis for strong ongoing relationships and increased revenue.

Develop and present quality presentations at both the broker and customer level.

Qualifications:
Desired Skills and Experience

Skills & Abilities Proven ability to multi-task, juggle multiple projects and effectively determine priorities. Excellent communication skills – written and oral. Proven ability to work without direct supervision with multiple functional areas. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills. Proven analytical and problem solving skills. Strong computer skills – Word, Excel & PowerPoint essential. Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver powerful presentations. Working knowledge of syndicated data: IRI and/or Nielsen databases and analyses. Proven ability to extract information and insight from raw data and link to strategic goals.

Experience

5 – 7 + year’s account and/or broker management experience.

CPG, confectionery and or snack a plus.

Education

Must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in sales, marketing, or related field.