Vice President Sales - Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) , a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn & garden  and pet supplies markets, is searching for a Vice President Sales to join its Pet Division.

Reporting to the President of the Pet Division, this position will lead the major selling customer organizations for Wal-Mart, PetSmart, Petco and the Food/Drug/Mass segments.  This role will also provide customer and sales expertise to our several independent sales organizations which are currently based in the business units.  The position reports directly to the Pet Division President with four Customer Vice Presidents as direct reports.  Key to the success of this position will be the ability to provide leadership to the sales organization resulting in improved customer service and more rapid sales growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Improving performance of the sales organization – both revenue and margin through the use of well articulated customer plans that include distribution, shelving, merchandising and planning




• Develop sales performance goals and provide for effective measurement and reward/motivation process and meet all goals and objectives




• Lead growth and improvement of business profitability and asset management by focusing sales efforts on the largest customers




• Develop sales strategies and tactics to increase branded sales, market share, revenue and profits




• Improve strategic positioning of products




• Lead planning process and establish strategic objective with corporate and business unit leaders




• Develop senior level key customer connectivity




• Drive sales operation synergy opportunities across businesses, where and when appropriate




• Provide leadership to direct reports and act as coach to further their skills development




• Ensure sales and marketing strategy coordination across common customer base




• Play an integral leadership role within the Pet Executive Team




• Attract, develop and build a talented team.  It will be necessary to assess, development and upgrade aspects of the sales management and sales teams

Experiences/Skills/Education

• Minimum undergraduate degree in business or marketing is required, with an M.B.A. strongly preferred




• Strong interpersonal skills, good judgment and the capability to communicate effectively to a diverse range of individuals




• Broad functional experience in areas of strategic planning and marketing, business and market development, market research and planning, and promotion/advertising




• Leadership skills necessary to drive profitable growth in a pet consumer products business at the billion dollar plus level, with goal of doubling the business in three years




• Minimum 15 years successful experience in a fast-paced consumer packaged goods sales and marketing environment




• Demonstrated experience in serving national retail customers in complex channels including superstores, food, mass, and smaller independent stores




• Ability to operate effectively in a sales management role that emphasizes creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit




• Strong strategic and marketing skills with broad-based experience in marketing/sales, customer service, distribution, finance, manufacturing and operations




• Previous experience in the acquisition and integration process resulting in new products and businesses with positive earning results




• Strong analytical sales skills versus a relationship only set of skills




• Sponsorship for new product development with business unit presidents




• Previous product launch negotiation skills and the ability to develop relationships with the retail customers, resulting in strong retail partnerships




• Excellent communication skills including the ability to interface with all levels of the company and represent the company to major customers and industry associations.




• Strong numerical and analytical skills with the ability to translate into actions and the ability to utilize fact based selling techniques




• Must have personal integrity and a solid results orientation.




• Must be a strong pragmatic leader who can sell himself/herself to the customer base.




• Must treat people right and care about how people are treated.




• A high-energy, bottom-line, collaborative, self-starting leader who is capable of leading management and motivating them toward success  

Central Garden & Pet is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer