Vice President of Sales

**Inovata Foods Corp.** isn't just another food manufacturing company; we're innovators shaping the future of food production. Our mission is simple yet powerful**:We create wholesome and convenient meals that bring family and friends together.** Join us in making a real impact on the private label prepared entree market as our next **Vice President of Sales**.

**Why Inovata Foods?** Located in Canada with facilities in Tillsonburg, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta, we are a leading producer of high-quality private-label frozen entrees for prominent clients throughout North America. Over the last 30 years Inovata Foods has built a strong reputation for excellence in customer service, quality, innovation and economics, with a rich history of growth. As we embark on the next chapter of investment into our company, this is an exciting time to join us as our VP of Sales. We have the scale and resources to service the largest retailers in North America, while maintaining nimbleness. You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact in your workplace.

**Our Values**: At Inovata Foods, we are a values-driven company. Our RECIPE values—Respect, Engagement, Courage, Integrity, Passion, and Excellence—are at the heart of everything we do. These values guide our decisions, shape our culture, and drive our commitment to delivering outstanding results for our customers.

**Your Impact**: As VP of Sales, you will:

- **Report Directly to the CEO**: You will work closely with our CEO, providing strategic leadership to drive our sales efforts and support the company's overarching goals.
- **Lead Strategic Growth**: Develop and execute sales strategies that drive revenue and market share expansion across the USA and Canada, particularly within the private-label frozen entree sector.
- **Foster Collaboration**: Work closely with our R&D Director to align sales strategies with product innovation, and production capabilities ensuring that we meet and exceed customer needs.
- **Drive Customer Relationships**: Build and maintain robust relationships with key clients, retailers, and distribution partners, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.
- **Lead Negotiations**: Take charge of high-stakes negotiations with major clients, securing contracts that align with our strategic goals and drive profitability.
- **Mentor and Inspire**: Lead, manage, and inspire Inovata Foods to be a customer centered and strategic sales driven company.

**Major Objectives and Key Deliverables**:

- **Within the First 30 Days**:

- Immerse yourself in our operations by spending time with our teams in Tillsonburg and Edmonton.
- Engage with key personnel, including cooks, pasta extruders, lead hands, R&D, Procurement/Scheduling, Sales Director, Operations leadership, CFO, logistics director, etc. to enhance understand how Inovata wins in the market.
- Collaborate and build a strong working relationship with the R&D Director to gain insights into our product development process, ensuring alignment between sales and innovation strategies.
- **Within 3 Months**:

- Develop a comprehensive understanding of our customer base, products, core competencies and commercialization process.
- Shadow the CEO and Director of National Accounts to ensure your sales initiatives align with overall business strategies.
- Begin developing and implementing a strategic sales plan that enables Inovata's growth goals to be achieved.

**What You Bring**:

- A proven track record in senior sales leadership, particularly within the private-label frozen food industry.
- Strong expertise in contract negotiation and key account management.
- Experience working closely with R&D teams to drive innovation in product offerings.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
- A deep understanding of the North American food market and its dynamics.
- Willingness to travel across Canada (particularly the greater Toronto area) and the USA.
- Established and proven relationships with US accounts.

**What We Offer**:

- **Competitive Compensation**: A salary that reflects your experience and qualifications, along with an annual incentive plan and Long Term Incentive / Option Plan.
- **Comprehensive Benefits**: Full medical, dental, and disability insurance from day one. All employer-paid, with the exception of Long-Term Disability.
- **Generous Time Off**: Enjoy four weeks of vacation to start, plus five personal days per year.
- **Professional Growth**: Opportunities for career development and advancement.

**Working Conditions**:

- This position will require travel in Canada and the USA with the majority focusing on the greater Toronto area.
- Occasional extended working hours and weekend travel commitments may be necessary to meet business objectives.
- For the first 3 months it's expected for you to be at the Tillsonburg facility a minimum of 2 days a week to learn and build relationships with co-workers. This role will partner heavily with R&D, which is in Ti