Sr. Sales Manager – Commodity & Retail at Michigan Milk Producers Assoc – Novi, Michigan

About Us:

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value added dairy products. MMPA has four member owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products made at MMPA’s plants include fluid milk cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream and condensed skim milk.

Why you’ll love working here:

Competitive salaryHealth and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefitsDisability insurancePaid time offRetirement including 401k with employer contributionsPersonal and professional growth opportunitiesEmployee appreciation events and recognition awardsEmployee wellness initiativesEmployee feedback and suggestion forums

Position Overview

This role leads sales strategy and execution across commodity and retail channels, driving growth and profitability for the business. The Senior Sales Manager will oversee key customer relationships, shape market strategies, and manage a team of Sales Representatives. Success in this position requires strong expertise in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and a proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, competitive environment.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team ManagementDirectly manage and mentor Sales Representatives, providing guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.Foster a collaborative and high-performance sales culture.

Sales Strategy & ExecutionDevelop and implement sales strategies for commodity and retail channels to achieve revenue and margin targets.Identify new business opportunities and maintain strong relationships with existing accounts.Monitor market trends, pricing, and competitive activity to inform strategic decisions.Account ManagementOversee key customer relationships, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction.Negotiate contracts and pricing agreements to maximize profitability.Cross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with operations, finance, and marketing teams to align sales initiatives with overall business objectives.Provide accurate sales forecasts and reporting to senior leadership.

Qualifications

Required:7+ years of sales experience in CPG; proven track record of driving growth.Strong understanding of commodity and retail sales dynamics.Leadership experience managing a sales team.Preferred:Experience in the dairy industry or related perishable goods category.Knowledge of commodity pricing and market fluctuations.Skills:Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States.

MMPA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well-being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process.

We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

MMPA is an equal opportunity employer.

#MMPAND1