Director of Sales

The Bluebird Group

Director of Sales responsible for CPG clients at Bluebird Group, enhancing relationships and business strategies for growth in Kroger's ecosystem.

Posted 7/10/2026full-timeCincinnati • Ohio • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute sales strategies that align client objectives with Kroger priorities and Bluebird's growth goals
Lead annual business planning, forecasting, promotional planning, and execution across a portfolio of 5–8 CPG clients
Lead Kroger Kompass (New Item Meetings) and develop plans that support successful item launches, assortment expansion, and distribution growth
Oversee promotional planning, sales strategies, trade fund management, and execution of Kroger's Divisional Sales Merchandising Plan (DSMP)
Identify emerging categories, market trends, and new business opportunities to expand client distribution, sales, and market share at Kroger
Partner with clients and internal teams to execute growth strategies across both in-store and digital channels
Serve as the primary relationship owner for a portfolio of CPG manufacturer clients
Build and strengthen relationships with Kroger category managers, process managers, buying teams, and other key stakeholders
Provide strategic direction and recommendations that support revenue growth, profitability, assortment expansion, and market share gains
Negotiate with both clients and Kroger to maximize growth, profitability, and overall business performance
Align client objectives with Kroger priorities to drive long-term growth and execution success
Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the Kroger ecosystem, focusing on expanding Bluebird's client portfolio and retail presence
Leverage industry relationships, networking opportunities, trade shows, and market insights to generate new client opportunities
Help emerging and established brands secure placement, gain distribution, and accelerate growth at Kroger
Develop and present growth strategies that demonstrate Bluebird's value across sales, analytics, eCommerce, and omnichannel execution
Stay current on CPG trends, Kroger priorities, competitive activity, and category dynamics
Leverage 84.51, Circana (IRI), Nielsen, SPINS, and other syndicated data sources to identify opportunities and inform business strategy
Analyze category performance, shopper insights, and sales trends to support retailer and client decision-making
Translate data into actionable recommendations that drive growth and strengthen retailer relationships
Partner closely with supply chain, operations, and logistics teams to maintain strong service levels, in-stock performance, and execution
Collaborate with finance teams on forecasting, trade spend management, budget accountability, and profitability objectives
Support innovation pipeline planning and retailer-specific execution requirements
Partner with internal teams to ensure business plans are executed effectively across retail and eCommerce channels
Support issue escalation and resolution to maintain strong account health and retailer relationships
Monitor sales performance, forecasts, and key business metrics across a portfolio of 5–8 client accounts
Identify risks, opportunities, and business trends to inform strategic recommendations
Provide regular sales forecasts, business updates, and client status reports to leadership
Prepare and present category reviews, performance summaries, and business updates to clients and retail partners
Analyze sales metrics and KPIs to optimize account performance, profitability, and long-term growth

Requirements

What you’ll need

15+ years of progressive experience in CPG sales, including broker, manufacturer, retailer, or commerce organization experience
5+ years of direct experience calling on Kroger and managing retailer relationships
Strong relationships within Kroger and experience working directly with category managers, process managers, and merchant teams
Proven success leading client relationships and driving business growth across multiple accounts
Experience managing multiple brands, categories, or client portfolios
Experience developing and executing retailer-specific growth strategies across both in-store and digital channels
Previous broker experience representing multiple CPG brands preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Flexible work arrangements
Professional development opportunities

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

Sales Strategy DevelopmentPromotional PlanningTrade Fund ManagementBusiness ForecastingCategory Performance Analysis

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingNegotiationStrategic DirectionCollaborationCommunication