DSD Area Sales & Operations Manager

DSD Area Sales & Operations Manager

Location: Ceres, CA
Salary: $130,000–$140,000 annually
Schedule: Full-Time
Territory: Northern California – Bakersfield through Sacramento

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced DSD Area Sales & Operations Manager to lead sales and operational performance throughout Northern California.

This is a hands-on field leadership position responsible for leading Route Sales Representatives, improving route performance, growing retail accounts, and overseeing day-to-day DSD operations.

Direct Store Delivery (DSD) leadership experience within the food, beverage, or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Route Sales Representatives (RSRs) and warehouse leadership.
• Manage DSD sales and operations throughout the Bakersfield-to-Sacramento territory.
• Evaluate, restructure, and optimize sales and delivery routes.
• Drive revenue growth, distribution gains, route productivity, and retail execution.
• Conduct field visits and work directly with route teams to improve performance.
• Build and maintain relationships with grocery, independent, and retail accounts.
• Identify new accounts and opportunities to expand product distribution.
• Monitor sales performance, KPIs, service levels, and route results.
• Ensure merchandising and in-store execution standards are consistently met.
• Oversee route coverage, staffing, warehouse coordination, and operational improvements.
• Manage inventory processes including forecasting, FIFO, shrink, and returns.
• Support pricing, billing, accounts receivable, and other financial controls.
• Partner with supply chain, finance, warehouse, and company leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of DSD, route-based sales, or CPG experience.
• Previous leadership experience within a DSD food, beverage, or consumer products environment.
• Experience directly managing, coaching, or developing Route Sales Representatives or field sales teams.
• Strong understanding of route management, merchandising, inventory, and retail execution.
• Experience driving sales growth and improving route productivity.
• Experience managing grocery, independent retail, or similar retail accounts.
• Ability to analyze KPIs and use performance data to improve results.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Ability to obtain a DOT Medical Card.
• Comfortable with regular regional travel.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $130,000–$140,000 annually

Benefits include low-cost Health, Dental, and Vision insurance; company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; company-paid Life Insurance; voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance; and a 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

Work Environment

This is a field-based leadership role requiring regular travel between retail accounts, routes, and warehouse operations throughout Northern California.

Candidates should be comfortable working in retail, warehouse, and delivery environments and able to lift up to 25 lbs. regularly and up to 50 lbs. occasionally.