National Sales Manager, Pet Food Manufacturing
We’re seeking a
National Sales Manager
to lead new business development and drive growth within our client’s pet food contract manufacturing division, focused on custom product development and premium and super-premium wet pet food products.
Our client partners with both emerging brands and established national accounts, supporting customers from early-stage concept and formulation through full-scale commercialization. Their capabilities include a wide range of wet formats such as stews, toppers, pour-overs, bone broth, pâté, mousse, and shredded products, with a strong emphasis on human-grade, clean label, and high-protein formulations.
Reporting directly to the VP of Sales, the National Sales Manager will develop and execute a disciplined sales strategy, secure new customers, and build long-term manufacturing partnerships across the pet food industry.
This senior-level individual contributor role offers full ownership of the sales cycle, from prospecting and pipeline development through contract negotiation, onboarding, and commercialization, while working cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to successfully launch and scale customer programs.
We’re looking for a sales professional with experience in pet food nutrition and contract manufacturing who brings a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to building pipelines, winning new business, and driving growth in a complex, solution-based selling environment.
Essential Job Functions:
• Drive new business across the pet food industry by identifying, targeting, and securing partnerships with both emerging brands and established national accounts
• Build and maintain a strong, self-generated pipeline through proactive outreach, industry networking, and trade show engagement
• Own the full sales cycle from initial prospecting through contract negotiation, onboarding, and commercialization
• Develop and execute a strategic sales plan aligned with revenue targets, pipeline goals, and long-term growth objectives
• Lead complex, multi-stakeholder sales processes, engaging with R&D, procurement, operations, and executive leadership within customer organizations
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams including R&D, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to guide customers through formulation, product development, trials, and scale-up
• Structure deals that align customer needs with manufacturing capabilities, capacity planning, and profitability targets
• Support successful onboarding of new customers and ensure alignment on timelines, product specifications, and commercialization plans
• Expand existing customer relationships through additional product lines, formats, and volume growth where applicable
• Maintain accurate pipeline visibility, forecasting, and CRM updates, providing insight into opportunities, risks, and performance against targets
• Stay current on industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities within pet nutrition, particularly within wet and premium product segments
• Travel approximately 50% overnight to manufacturing locations, customer sites, and industry events to support business development and relationship growth
Qualifications include:
• BS/BA degree in Business, Marketing, Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, or a related field
• 7–10+ years of sales experience within pet nutrition, with exposure to contract manufacturing, co-manufacturing, or private label solutions
• Proven track record of new business development and closing deals, not just account management
• Existing relationships with key decision-makers across pet food brands, manufacturers, and private label retailers
• Strong understanding of pet food formulation and complete and balanced nutritional requirements
• Proven ability to navigate long and complex sales cycles, often 9–12+ months or longer
• Experience working cross-functionally with technical teams such as R&D or product development
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to structure deals that balance customer needs and operational realities
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a high level of ownership, urgency, and accountability
• Ability to work remotely and travel up to 50% overnight
Compensation for this position includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience, performance-based bonus incentives, full medical and dental benefits, 401(k), and paid vacation. Our client is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Apply tot his job
Apply To this Job
National Sales Manager
to lead new business development and drive growth within our client’s pet food contract manufacturing division, focused on custom product development and premium and super-premium wet pet food products.
Our client partners with both emerging brands and established national accounts, supporting customers from early-stage concept and formulation through full-scale commercialization. Their capabilities include a wide range of wet formats such as stews, toppers, pour-overs, bone broth, pâté, mousse, and shredded products, with a strong emphasis on human-grade, clean label, and high-protein formulations.
Reporting directly to the VP of Sales, the National Sales Manager will develop and execute a disciplined sales strategy, secure new customers, and build long-term manufacturing partnerships across the pet food industry.
This senior-level individual contributor role offers full ownership of the sales cycle, from prospecting and pipeline development through contract negotiation, onboarding, and commercialization, while working cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to successfully launch and scale customer programs.
We’re looking for a sales professional with experience in pet food nutrition and contract manufacturing who brings a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to building pipelines, winning new business, and driving growth in a complex, solution-based selling environment.
Essential Job Functions:
• Drive new business across the pet food industry by identifying, targeting, and securing partnerships with both emerging brands and established national accounts
• Build and maintain a strong, self-generated pipeline through proactive outreach, industry networking, and trade show engagement
• Own the full sales cycle from initial prospecting through contract negotiation, onboarding, and commercialization
• Develop and execute a strategic sales plan aligned with revenue targets, pipeline goals, and long-term growth objectives
• Lead complex, multi-stakeholder sales processes, engaging with R&D, procurement, operations, and executive leadership within customer organizations
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams including R&D, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to guide customers through formulation, product development, trials, and scale-up
• Structure deals that align customer needs with manufacturing capabilities, capacity planning, and profitability targets
• Support successful onboarding of new customers and ensure alignment on timelines, product specifications, and commercialization plans
• Expand existing customer relationships through additional product lines, formats, and volume growth where applicable
• Maintain accurate pipeline visibility, forecasting, and CRM updates, providing insight into opportunities, risks, and performance against targets
• Stay current on industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities within pet nutrition, particularly within wet and premium product segments
• Travel approximately 50% overnight to manufacturing locations, customer sites, and industry events to support business development and relationship growth
Qualifications include:
• BS/BA degree in Business, Marketing, Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, or a related field
• 7–10+ years of sales experience within pet nutrition, with exposure to contract manufacturing, co-manufacturing, or private label solutions
• Proven track record of new business development and closing deals, not just account management
• Existing relationships with key decision-makers across pet food brands, manufacturers, and private label retailers
• Strong understanding of pet food formulation and complete and balanced nutritional requirements
• Proven ability to navigate long and complex sales cycles, often 9–12+ months or longer
• Experience working cross-functionally with technical teams such as R&D or product development
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to structure deals that balance customer needs and operational realities
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a high level of ownership, urgency, and accountability
• Ability to work remotely and travel up to 50% overnight
Compensation for this position includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience, performance-based bonus incentives, full medical and dental benefits, 401(k), and paid vacation. Our client is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Apply tot his job
Apply To this Job