What are the responsibilities and job description for the US Sales Manager position at Karana?
At KARANA, we believe in the power of plants. We believe that it's possible to create insanely delicious, healthier foods using ingredients that promote soil health, biodiversity, and give more power to farmers. We're a fast-growing, venture-backed food tech company that creates meat from the most sustainable crops in the world, starting with jackfruit. KARANA is serving delicious, indulgent plant based foods in Singapore and Hong Kong, and is currently launching in the Bay Area and Southern California, and has already begun distribution to some awesome restaurants and corporate and campus catering operators. As the US FS Sales lead for the company, you will build and lead our food service focused strategy to increase KARANA's customer base in North America, launching and growing restaurant channels in key cities, helping scale our institutional business, and building relationships around co-brand and B2B2C opportunities. Additionally, you will be responsible for managing the most efficient channels for KARANA's monthly and annual growth goals.
KARANA is based in San Mateo and Singapore and has been featured in CNN, CNBC, Tatler, TechCrunch, and Green Queen, amongst others
Responsibilities:
Full ownership of sales strategy and execution focused around foodservice and co-branded/partnership opportunities
Grow our food-service business by actively identifying and pursue top regional and national chain operators, marquee independents, and culinary influencers
Develop relationships with, and manage distributors and brokers
Bringing the brand to life in trade with best in class execution and creative activation
Execute sales programs and new product introductions with strategic operators
Execute monthly/quarterly business reviews and planning sessions with key partners, ensuring quarterly and annual priorities and sales goals are achieved
Planning and Forecasting- analyze sales data, manage budgets, and forecasts
Provide coaching and product training to distributor and broker reps and ensure they are provided with access to sales tools and POS
Represent KARANA at industry events and trade shows
Utilize CRM tool to create a customer call plan, strong opportunity pipeline, lead follow-up, and track sales activities
Effective utilization of sales tracking and business planning tools to input contracts, trade programs and determine opportunities for improved sales and profit growth
Be the voice of the market gathering data and insights to improve performance and assist marketing and product development teams
Work with the rest of the team to ensure we are set up for success
Other duties as assigned
About You: Confident in your capabilities with demonstrated sales success, you’re looking to draw upon your skills and experience to fuel our growth in foodservice channels. You are a people person who is deep thinking, food loving, analytical, creative, customer-focused, and finds ways to get things done by smashing through barriers. You are not only adept in finding multiple ways at driving ROI, but are also mission-driven and committed to creating change. You care about personal growth as much as career growth, thrive when given challenges, and love finding innovative ways to scale and grow the brand. You're a team player and love collaborating with team members across different cultures and countries.
You will be a crucial member of the KARANA team driving our commercial success and helping shape the business and team as we expand and grow. You will report to the co-founders.
Requirements & Experience:
You are aligned with our mission and hungry to make a positive impact on the world
Located in Bay Area or LA
5-7 years of experience in foodservice, plant based experience preferred
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and selling skills
A strong track record of growing sales and experience launching new products
A robust network of food-service and distribution contacts
Innovative thinker with proven track record for bringing new products to market
Patient, persistent, and goal-oriented
A growth mindset; you thrive in a fast paced, goal oriented, and ever changing environment
Highly organized, proactive, and enjoy rolling your sleeves up
Excellent ability to build and cultivate relationships
Start-up/emerging high growth brand experience preferred
Willingness to travel
Strong experience with Google Suite, Slack and CRM capabilities (we use Nutshell but ability to own and build a tool is the most important.
Management experience nurturing junior team members.
Additional Information
KARANA Perks:
A competitive salary and stock options
We take care of our employees and offer a benefits package
Unlimited annual leave
Laidback, food loving, and fun work environment
Opportunity to grow professionally with fast growing start-up
First tastes of some of the most cutting-edge meats made from whole plants
A chance to make the world a better place through food and agriculture