Distributor Operations Manager

Job Address:
1425 The Queensway, Etobicoke, Ontario, M8Z 1T3

Wonderbrands, is a leading North American bakery (formerly Weston Foods, fresh and frozen businesses) with 140 years of experience in baking packaged breads, artisan breads, and donuts. We are one of the largest bakeries in North America and makers of Wonder Bread, Country Harvest, D’Italiano, Gadoua, and Casa Mendosa.

Wonderbrands, a division of FGF Brands, is unlocking an incredible opportunity for growth through a focus on production innovation capabilities, through a leading edge supply chain practice and investing deeply in communities where we bake.

The Distributor Operations Manager is focused on driving executional excellence, compliance and sales growth within the region. The role will manage all aspects of communication, training, route sales, onboarding and executing the distributor agreement obligations.

Core Accountabilities:
Achieve Sales Targets and achieves KPI’s
- Achieves sales revenue, and Stale objectives for Independent Distributors in territory;
- Maintains delivery frequency targets for all customers
- Supports ID’s in business development & with promotion plans;
- Work with ID’s to increase cash business - Achieve targets
- Achieves stale targets for all key customers
- Supports Execution around Sales Reps merchandising plans and display agreements with customers in region
- Conducts business reviews with all independent distributors within their territory
- Collaboratively works with their peers in market to drive executional priorities

ID Assessment
- Monitors & ensures ID Agreement compliance
- Works with Account Sales Manager(s) to document performance issues and takes corrective action as necessary.
- Participates in selection of new IDs

Onboarding and ongoing Training and Communication
- Increase delivery efficiency; Work with ID’s to optimize route - route planning (Analyze territory, grouping stores and scheduling visits), Loading/unloading, daily truck inspection, preparation for future deliveries
- Optimize routing efficiencies and distribution paths within their territory
- Servicing an account - Managing returns, assessing inventory levels, adjustments to planned orders, printing invoices, receiving, merchandising, reviewing order for next delivery
- Understanding Distributor agreement - Develop and grow territory, support Weston Marketing programs, maintain proper service and delivery to all outlets, maintaining adequate fresh supply, rotating product and managing stales, and maintaining the handheld
- Product knowledge - Products features and benefits, and how these fit with the different customers
- Understanding weekly distributor statement and calculating net sales, cost of goods, gross profit and net income
- Advertising policy
- Handheld training

Monitor Accounts Receivable
- Monitors status for each assigned Independent Distributor & ensure outstanding payments are made
- Ensure ID’s deliver timely & accurate cash flow and minimize risk
- Assists ID’s in resolving issues with Route Audit

Territory Administration and Communication
- Owns the flow of POS materials & racking to routes/IDs in a timely manner
- Manages information flow to IDs
- With assistance from ACM, coordinates seasonal booking orders & holiday schedules

About You:

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or related field required
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience leading a field sales team (food industry an asset)
- Ability to effectively work from home and in the field
- Experience managing a franchise operation unit
- Strong DSD experience considered an asset
- Multi-tasking and priority management are key components to be successful in the role
- Exceptionally strong communicator and team builder
- Proven experience in people leadership and development
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced & multi task environment

Weston is committed to fostering a work environment with strong core values that support diversity through various policies, programs and activities that encourage sensitivity and accommodations. Weston offers employment regardless of race, colour, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Diversity is integral to our success as an organization and we will use diversity as a model to help identify and develop the best talent, create effective teams, and achieve overall excellence. In addition, we believe that compliance with laws is about doing the right thing. Upholding the law is part of our Code of Conduct - it reinforces what our customers and stakeholders expect of us.

Number of openings:
1