The Olive Oil Factory is a leading co-manufacturer specializing in the development and production of sauces, oils, dressings, marinades, beverages, and specialty food products. We partner with emerging brands, established CPG companies, retailers, and foodservice organizations to bring innovative products to market through best-in-class manufacturing, formulation, packaging, commercialization, and supply chain capabilities.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a highly motivated Senior Manager, Sales to drive revenue growth through new customer acquisition and expansion of existing customer relationships.

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Sales is a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for driving profitable revenue growth through new customer acquisition, industry networking, customer referrals, trade show participation, and expansion of existing customer relationships.

The successful candidate will spend much of their time prospecting, developing customer relationships, attending industry events, responding to inbound inquiries, preparing proposals, coordinating commercialization activities, and supporting customers from initial introduction through production launch.

The ideal candidate has experience selling co-manufacturing, contract manufacturing, private label manufacturing, ingredient solutions, packaging, or other food industry services. We also welcome candidates with experience in sales or business development for a CPG food brand, particularly those who have partnered closely with contract manufacturers or managed retail and private label customers.

While this role will help establish scalable sales processes and tools as the company grows, the primary focus is execution—personally generating qualified opportunities, developing relationships, expanding existing accounts, and closing profitable manufacturing partnerships.

Key ResponsibilitiesSales & Customer Acquisition

• Develop and execute an annual sales plan to achieve new customer acquisition and revenue growth objectives.
• Personally prospect and secure new co-manufacturing opportunities through direct outreach, customer referrals, broker relationships, networking, and existing professional relationships.
• Build relationships with emerging brands, established CPG companies, retailers, foodservice organizations, ingredient suppliers, consultants, brokers, and other industry partners.
• Generate qualified opportunities through industry trade shows, conferences, networking events, and referral sources.
• Respond to inbound sales inquiries and qualify prospective customers based on strategic fit and manufacturing capabilities.
• Maintain an active pipeline of qualified opportunities and implement automated processes and use of a CRM.
• Lead discovery meetings, coordinate customer visits, and prepare proposals in partnership with Operations, R&D, Commercialization, and Finance.
• Support contract negotiations and coordinate internal teams through commercialization and production launch.
• Consistently achieve sales activity, pipeline, and revenue objectives.

Account Management & Customer Growth

• Develop annual account growth plans for key customers.
• Work with Account Manager(s) to conduct regular business reviews to identify opportunities for expansion and continuous improvement.

Referral & Industry Relationship Development

• Develop and maintain relationships with ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, equipment manufacturers, consultants, brokers, distributors, and other industry partners to generate qualified business referrals.
• Leverage existing professional relationships to identify new manufacturing opportunities.
• Represent The Olive Oil Factory at industry trade shows, conferences, networking events, and customer meetings to increase market awareness and generate qualified leads.
• Maintain visibility within the food manufacturing and CPG community by actively participating in industry associations and events.
• Develop a sustainable referral network that consistently generates new business opportunities.

Sales Operations & Process Improvement

• Build and implement repeatable sales processes that support scalable business growth.
• Evaluate and implement CRM tools, pipeline management systems, and sales reporting dashboards.
• Maintain accurate customer records, opportunity tracking, and sales forecasts.
• Establish KPIs related to sales activity, pipeline health, conversion rates, and customer growth.
• Create standardized sales materials, account planning templates, and customer engagement processes.
• Continuously improve the sales process to increase efficiency and conversion rates.

Commercial Governance

• Maintain a working knowledge of existing customer agreements, exclusivity provisions, non-compete obligations, and other contractual commitments that may impact business development activities.
• Ensure all sales activities comply with customer agreements and company policies.
• Revenue generated from opportunities pursued in violation of existing contractual obligations or approved commercial restrictions will not be eligible for incentive compensation.
• Partner with company leadership when evaluating opportunities that may require contractual review or executive approval.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, R&D, Quality, Procurement, Planning, and Commercialization teams to ensure successful customer onboarding and commercialization.
• Communicate customer needs and market feedback to internal stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer experience and operational execution.
• Act as the voice of the customer throughout the organization.

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 5+ years of direct sales, account management, or business development experience within food manufacturing, co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient solutions, packaging, or branded CPG food companies.
• Demonstrated success personally sourcing and closing new manufacturing opportunities.
• Experience generating new business through prospecting, referrals, networking, and trade show participation.
• Experience managing opportunities from initial customer contact through commercialization and production launch.
• Existing relationships within food and beverage brands, CPG companies, brokers, ingredient suppliers, consultants, retailers, or foodservice organizations.
• Experience using CRM systems to manage sales pipelines and customer activity.
• Experience managing retail or private label accounts (e.g., Aldi, Trader Joe's, Costco, Kroger, UNFI, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, Target, or similar) and an understanding of retailer expectations, forecasting, commercialization, and margin requirements.
• Strong presentation, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a highly execution-focused sales environment.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30–50% for customer meetings, trade shows, and industry events.

Preferred

• Experience selling sauces, oils, dressings, condiments, beverages, or other specialty food manufacturing services.
• Existing network within the food manufacturing and co-manufacturing industry.
• Experience working with emerging brands and national CPG companies.
• Familiarity with food manufacturing operations, commercialization, quality systems, and supply chain processes.

Pay: $150,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• How many years of direct sales, account management, or business development experience within food manufacturing, co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient solutions, packaging, or branded CPG food companies.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote