Sales Director

ABOUT US:

REFRESH was founded in 2022 by Ryan Stafford and is a better-for-you chewing gum based in NYC. We use chicle, a tree sap for our gum base (no hidden plastic), real colors from fruits and vegetables, plant-based sweeteners, and real flavors, and coconut oil instead of palm oil. REFRESH stands out in the market for its commitment to using the highest-quality plant-based ingredients, instead of synthetic alternatives, and delivering nostalgia.

If you didn't already know, conventional chewing gum brands use a plastic gum base filled with 40+ ingredients as well as artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives, and palm oil. We wanted to change that for good and give consumers a product that is only from the highest quality plant-based ingredients. 

REFRESH’s mission is to make the world’s best confectionary products from the highest quality plant-based ingredients. We pride ourselves on our ingredients, outstanding taste, and products unlike 

any other in the market.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Rapidly growing chewing gum brand in the US market.
• Currently sold in over 3,000 stores across all 50 states in the US.
• Five flavors currently in the chewing gum set: (1) Garden Mint, (2) Raspberry, (3) Bubble Gum, (4) Peppermint, (5) Peach.
• Key retailer partnerships include Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Wegmans, Raley’s, Giant Food, Erewhon, and more.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Embarking on a career at a start-up like REFRESH is as much a personal journey as it is a professional one. To thrive in our dynamic environment, you must be comfortable with failing, learning, and adapting. We value curiosity, optimism, and the tenacity to find solutions in the face of obstacles, even if it feels impossible. Confidence in sharing your ideas is crucial, as is the humility to learn from every experience and from those around you. If this is the approach you take to life, then we’d love to hear from you.

THE ROLE:

REFRESH is looking for a Director of Sales. We're in search of a strategic and dynamic mind to lead our sales team and accelerate revenue growth in current and new channels. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing sales strategies, cultivating key customer relationships, and driving overall sales performance across all channels. 

This role will work closely with the CEO and broader team. If you're a proven leader with a passion for driving results and shaping the future of chewing gum and confectionary, then this is a role you’ll thrive in.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies to achieve revenue targets and market expansion goals. Translate these strategies into clear, executable plans, focusing resources to maximize market penetration.
• Establish and manage robust partnerships with key accounts, DSD distributors, and brokers. 
• Negotiate funding agreements and design incentive programs to drive distributor performance and meet sales objectives.
• Collaborate with management, marketing, product development, and operations teams to align sales efforts with the company's strategic direction, priorities, and financial guardrails. Ensure cross-functional coherence in all sales and marketing initiatives.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and key consumption data sources to develop fact-based plans and solutions. Continually evaluate rolling forecasts against annual plans, adjusting strategies to optimize market share and profitability.
• Lead and expand our customer base by identifying new business opportunities and establishing promotional calendars, pricing strategies, and sales forecasts. 
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and customer meetings.
• Manage controllable expenses and partner with the finance team to optimize resource allocation and profitability, ensuring cost containment alongside aggressive sales growth.
• Execute launch strategies for new flavors and expansion products.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Holistic sales skills to align to our strategic goals, including the use of data and data-based story telling.
• Strong experience in sales leadership roles within the CPG industry
• 3+ years of experience in sales within a CPG company.
• People leader with demonstrated experience managing a sales team.
• Obsession for understanding customer behavior: lives, breaths & dreams about how to better reach and understand our consumers.
• Enthusiastic and comfortable working in an early-stage company. Ability to think rapidly in a growing and changing environment.
• Established relationships and experience working with key retail accounts and multiple distributors across multiple channels.
• Analyze opportunities quickly and have an ability to execute company goals efficiently.
• Proven track record of driving sales growth, achieving revenue targets, and expanding market share.
• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate team.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute sales plans that align with business objectives.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing market conditions.
• Proficient in Data Tools (SPINS, Retailer Portals) and Trade Math (selling price, margins, etc.).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity for equity compensation.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• PTO.

TO APPLY:

Please send an email to careers@refreshgum.com with the following details:

Subject Line: “Full Name – Director of Sales”

Attachments: Resume and cover letter.

Email body: Please provide a brief overview of the following:

• LinkedIn URL
• Why you’re a good fit for this role.
• Have you formally led a sales team in CPG.
• Key retailer relationships you have in CPG.
• Examples of how you grew sales and sales teams at previous employers/brands.
• Anything else that you would like to highlight on why you are best suited for the position and how you can help REFRESH rapidly grow.

If you're a forward-thinking sales leader ready to make an impact in the chewing gum and confectionary markets, we want to hear from you! If you seem like a strong fit, someone from our team will be in touch. We can’t wait to meet you and let's create something extraordinary together!