Senior Vice President of Grocery

Who We Are 

At C.A. Carlin, we take brands to new heights. We are one of the leading privately held sales agencies in the industry. Thanks to nimble growth and associations with our operating partners, C.A. Fortune and C.A. Ferolie, we have built brand value that is unlike any other in the CPG industry.  

What We Do  

Since our start in 1962, we have built industry relationships on the foundation of trust and action. We turn information into insight. We convert insight into programs. We drive programs that consistently deliver results to our clients, on their timeline.  

We have more than 300 associates and multiple offices throughout the country. We represent top brands in many categories such as confection, snack, grocery, beverage, frozen, dairy etc. 

Overview of the Role 

• The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Grocery will be a key executive leader responsible for shaping and executing the sales strategy for C.A. Carlin’s grocery business. This role requires a dynamic, visionary leader who will drive company growth, expand market presence, and lead a diverse, high-performing sales team to achieve business objectives. As a senior leader, the SVP will collaborate closely with the executive team to refine the overall business strategy, influence the company’s direction, and elevate the sales function to drive substantial revenue growth. The SVP will leverage their deep industry experience to optimize sales performance, cultivate critical client relationships, and ensure alignment between sales efforts and broader organizational goals.
• Location: Fully Remote OR Hybrid to Schaumburg, IL
• 25% travel required
• At C.A. we’re not looking for perfection, just people that want to commit to a us and grow their careers long-term. We are on a mission to build better brands for consumers and their families. If you’re looking for a sign to apply, here it is!  
  
  

 Primary Responsibilities

• Sales Leadership & Vision: Define and execute the overarching sales strategy, establishing clear long-term goals and ensuring alignment with the company’s overall business strategy and objectives. 
• Executive Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire senior sales leaders and managers to drive high performance and foster a culture of excellence. Develop and implement comprehensive training programs to ensure continuous improvement at all levels. 
• Revenue Growth & Market Expansion: Spearhead efforts to expand into new markets, sectors, and regions. Develop innovative approaches to revenue generation and customer acquisition, while ensuring sustainable growth. 
• Strategic Client & Partner Relationships: Develop and manage key client relationships at the executive level, ensuring deep trust and long-term strategic partnerships. Cultivate new high-value business opportunities and partnerships. 
• Collaboration Across Functions: Partner closely with C-suite executives, marketing, product development, and operations teams to ensure a unified approach to achieving sales and business goals. 
• Sales Operations & Performance Optimization: Oversee the entire sales function, optimizing processes, tools, and resources to maximize efficiency, profitability, and scalability. Establish key performance metrics, and ensure the team is set up for success. 
• Global Sales Strategy & Expansion: Lead the development and execution of global sales strategies, including entry into international markets, identifying new revenue streams, and scaling the sales function effectively. 
• Executive Reporting & Forecasting: Provide regular updates to the CEO and executive leadership team on sales performance, revenue forecasting, and strategic initiatives. Ensure accurate and timely reporting on sales forecasts, budgets, and performance metrics. 
• Innovation & Industry Leadership: Stay at the forefront of industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging technologies. Foster an environment of innovation within the sales team to adapt to changes and seize new opportunities.
  
  

Skills

• Executive Leadership: Proven ability to lead at the C-suite level, inspiring confidence and aligning cross-functional teams around shared business objectives. 
• Strategic Vision & Planning: Exceptional strategic thinking, with the ability to create and execute multi-year sales plans that align with long-term organizational goals. 
• Advanced Negotiation & Relationship Building: Expertise in high-level negotiations and managing relationships with C-suite executives, key clients, and strategic partners. 
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Deep experience in analyzing sales data, generating insights, and making data-driven decisions to guide the sales strategy and optimize performance. 
• Change Management: Ability to lead and drive change within a rapidly evolving environment, optimizing sales processes and organizational structure. 
• Industry Expertise: Extensive experience in the wholesale brokerage industry, with a deep understanding of market dynamics, competitive landscape, and client needs. 
• Financial Acumen: Strong financial and budget management skills, with the ability to manage sales forecasts, P&L, and ROI. 
• Team Development & Succession Planning: Expertise in building, mentoring, and growing a high-performing team of senior sales leaders, with a focus on leadership development and succession planning. 
• Innovation & Adaptability: Comfort with driving innovation and adapting strategies to stay ahead of market trends and evolving customer needs. 
  
  

Perks 

• 16 days of PTO 
• 11 paid company holidays per year 
• 2 paid volunteer days per year 
• Bonus eligibility
• 3 months fully paid parental leave (regardless of gender) 
• Medical, dental, and vision 
• Paid company life insurance 
• 401k with company match 
• Summer hours (half day Fridays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day) 
• Work from home flexibility 
  
  

Come As You Are 

C.A. is committed to making our company more inclusive. Diversity fuels our innovation and better connects us to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Based on research, we know that women and other marginalized groups tend to apply to roles only when their experience perfectly matches the job description. That said, we encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of qualifications, especially if this role aligns with your career trajectory.