This position may sit at either our Richmond, IN or St. Paul, MN location and will travel to support both areas.

The VP, Sales & Marketing will define, develop, execute and manage the enhanced dairy beverage business growth strategies including customer and sales development, strategic marketing, research and development, brand and category management, trade marketing, and consumer relation activities. This key executive position will lead the efforts to drive sales performance, create sales-expanding new products and capture incremental market share to grow the revenues and profits of the Beverage and Dairy Foods Division (B&DF). The position will provide the leadership to build, develop, and guide high performance teams to achieve organizational objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Development of the demand creation strategy which includes emphasis on brand growth and brand positioning in the competitive marketplace

• Develop and execute annual and long-term business operating plans that ensure sustainable, profitable growth. Deliver annual volume and price realization plan.

• Recruit (where necessary), develop, motivate, mentor, coach and retain highly talented team members.

• Develop and maintain senior level relationships with key customers and industry groups

• Provide direction to the sales and marketing teams to assess market voids or untapped market potential and develop strategies to realize

• Develop consumer reach programs which create unique and lasting brand impressions which drive growth

• Create customer channel strategy that identifies a go to market plan for each

• Coordinate and leverage industry market research to evaluate competitiveness, innovative opportunities, identify trends and solidify positioning of the organization with customers and industry partners.

• Develop overall marketing strategy and business case for augmenting strategic relationships with existing and potential industry partners, members and customers. Recommend changes in approach to best serve the needs of the organization and drive business development.

• Develop sustainable partnership marketing and industry relationship opportunities between DFA and industry. Build alliances with customers and brand partners.

• Create strategic industry marketing plan for B&DF to supplement existing objectives, priorities, schedules and budgets that will drive innovation and growth of the business.

• Direct efforts to identify opportunities for inclusion in industry programs and high margin-innovative growth opportunities across B&DF.

• Initiate business development opportunities in marketing, promotion and applied research initiatives across B&DF commercial businesses.

• Identify opportunities within DFA resources and organizational alignment that can drive innovative efforts.

• Implements action plans in partnership with internal resources to enhance business results.

• Bachelor's degree required. MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• 10+ years' experience in marketing strategy development and execution.

• Extensive fast moving consumer goods industry knowledge, preferable within the food or dairy segments. Deep understanding of market, customer, competitor and innovation trends.

• Ability to promote a positive image of the organization and represent the organization's interest with industry partners, members and customers.

• Seasoned management professional with strong business development and marketing/sales acumen.

• Effective problem analysis and problem resolution at the strategic and functional levels.

• Creative thinker with the ability to lead innovation.

• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals.

• Strong understanding of the beverage and dairy industry.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and concurrently provide exemplary attention to detail.

• Ability to analyze organizational and industry data.

• Ability to work diplomatically with all levels of employees, industry partners and customers.

• Effective presentation skills.

• Strong computer skills; proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

An Equal Opportunity Employer