Director, Sales - Costa Coffee

Location: Atlanta, GA preferred; will consider virtual candidates who are within close proximity to major U.S. airport with travel required to meet with key accounts and attend industry events on a national scale.

Travel: 25%

A bit about Costa Coffee...

We're Costa Coffee, masters of our craft since 1971 when the Costa brothers opened their first Roastery in London. A lot has changed since then. As well as being the UK's Favorite coffee shop for the last 13 years, we are also present in over 40 other countries across EMENA, APAC, and the Americas. We are on a mission like no other to inspire the world to love great coffee. From our evolving store propositions to our innovative FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) offering, we're ambitious, disrupting and owning the coffee technology space, allowing us to provide the best solutions for our customers and partners.

This is all supported by being part of The Coca-Cola Company. If you love coffee, you'll love us. This is where tastebuds are brought to life. But it's not all about the coffee. Joining the Costa family is about loving your chance to do a great job alongside brilliant people who make the hard work worth it. And we promise, we'll make sure you're always loving your craft.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Sales Director to join our team and lead our coffee sales efforts on a regional and national scale. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success in building and managing relationships with key accounts, driving revenue growth, and exceeding sales targets, ideally within the coffee industry. Unlike most Sales Directors, this individual will thrive in the start-up environment and will be comfortable rolling up sleeves to get the job done.

The incumbent will be responsible for developing and executing strategic sales plans, fostering long-term partnerships with national and regional chains, distributors, and other key stakeholders, and driving business expansion opportunities. This role requires strong leadership, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills, as well as a deep understanding of the coffee market landscape.

What You'll Do for Us

• Develop and implement strategic sales plans to drive revenue growth and achieve sales targets for coffee platforms on a regional and national level.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with national and regional coffee chains, distributors, and key accounts to drive sales and maximize business opportunities.

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including new account acquisition, product expansion, and market penetration strategies.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and operations, to ensure alignment and execution of sales strategies and initiatives.

• Analyze market trends, competitive landscape, and customer insights to identify opportunities for growth and develop actionable plans to capitalize on market opportunities.

• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with key accounts to maximize profitability and drive mutual value.

• Provide regular sales forecasts, reports, and performance updates to senior management, including insights into sales trends, market dynamics, and competitive threats.

• Stay informed about industry developments, emerging trends, and best practices in the coffee market to inform strategic decision-making and maintain a competitive edge.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sales, account management, or business development roles within the coffee industry or related FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) industry. Knowledge of the Hotel/Lodging or office coffee channels would be a distinct advantage.

• A highly entrepreneurial spirit evidenced by driving growth in an agile and leanly resourced business will be key to success.?

• Proven track record of success in achieving and exceeding sales targets, driving revenue growth, and building strong relationships with key accounts.

• Deep understanding of the coffee market landscape, including knowledge of industry trends, customer preferences, and competitive dynamics.

• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of developing and executing complex sales plans and initiatives.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Willingness to travel nationally as needed to meet with key accounts, attend industry events, and represent the company.

Functional Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Customer management skills

• Negotiating skills

• Project Management skills

• Clear communicator (written and verbal)

• Consistent and thorough follow up.

• Positive attitude

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software.

Skills Business Development; New Business Development; Customer Relationships; Strategic Selling

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.