WP Rawl is a grower, processor, and distributor of over 15 different varieties of fresh vegetables harvested year round, and more than 50 different packaged value-added products. Since 1925, our headquarters in the midlands of South Carolina has grown from a small family operation to a business retaining nearly 800 employees shipping products to retailers from Florida to Maine across to Texas and Wisconsin.
We are committed to implementing practices that are both sustainable and ensure food safety. Our employees are an extension of our family, each of whom has an opportunity to impact every area of the business.
We are currently in search of a Sales and Product Development Manager supporting our processing facility in Pelion, SC.
As a Sales and Product Development Manager, you will be responsible for managing the sales, customer service, and new product development programs for the company. You will also be responsible for maintaining the company’s sales growth through growing customer relationships, building the customer base, and developing new product offerings.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, finance or marketing or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of sales experience in perishables.
- 5+ years of experience in new product development and project management.
- Demonstrated success in building sales.
- Strong presentation skills.
- Strong analytical and computer skills including Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
- Attention to detail, time management and the ability to coordinate the activities of outside vendors.
- Strong organizational and communication skills, including written and verbal. Must be prepared and capable of making customer sales calls.
- Self-motivated team player – with results oriented attitude and creative background.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team of direct reports and personnel from other disciplines to achieving the new product goal and vision.
- Manage the Sales and Customer Service teams to meet sales goals.
- Establish sales objectives by forecasting and developing annual sales quotas for customers and/or regions; projecting expected sales volume for existing and new products.
- Oversee the implementation of sales programs by developing sales action plans.
- Maintain sales volume, product mix, and selling price by keeping current with supply and demand, changing trends, economic indicators, and competitors.
- Determine annual sales plans by implementing marketing strategies; analyzing trends and results.
- Recommend changes in selling prices to VP by monitoring costs, competition, and supply and demand.
- Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees.
- Maintain sales staff job results by counseling and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
- Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
- Develop a lifecycle plan for current and new products and/or variety offerings, which maximizes the success and profitability of the products.
- Develop a robust stream of new items, which can replace products and/or varieties entering the end of life phase. Ensure products recommended for development have a consumer rationale based on changing consumption patterns and which meet or exceed profitability hurdles.
- Coordinate with Field Operations and Plant Operations to facilitate trials and tests of new products to ensure they meet established guidelines for food safety and quality.
- Work with other departments to establish branding, positioning, packaging and promotion for the new varieties.
