Sr. Director of Sales, Bakery Blends & Mixes

The bakery blends space is consolidating fast. The brands that win will be the ones with someone who sees the white space before it closes.

Pave Talent is hiring on behalf of a specialty food ingredient company and one of four operating entities under a well-established holding company in the food manufacturing sector. It works with some of the most recognized names in food, supplying flour, sugars, oils, grains, spices, and packaging materials to customers including major retailers and foodservice chains.

The company is profitable, operationally stable, and now focused on a clear strategic expansion: growing their bakery blends and mixes business beyond their tortilla stronghold into clean label, better-for-you segments including high protein, low-carb, and gluten-free.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This role reports directly to the Business Unit Director, Bakery. You'll own the commercial growth strategy for the company's bakery blends and mixes category on a national scale, with a clear mandate to open new doors and build the pipeline.

You'll lead a team that includes two regional sales reps and a broker network. You'll be the strategic center: driving new business development, managing broker relationships, leading acquisition evaluation, and collaborating with R&D on innovation that puts this company in categories they're not in yet.

This is not a maintenance role. The CEO is directly involved in the hire, and you'll interact with senior leadership regularly. If you're a hunter who wants to build something, keep reading.

WHAT YOU'LL BUILD

• Develop and execute national business development strategies to grow the bakery blends and mixes portfolio against annual budget and multi-year growth targets
• Identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities across the bakery blends and mixes space, with a heavy emphasis on net-new customer acquisition
• Build, lead, and develop a team of 3-5+, including regional sales reps and broker partners
• Manage and optimize broker relationships to extend market reach and drive performance across territories
• Build and manage the project pipeline for the bakery category, tracking progress across new opportunities, innovation projects, and competitive moves
• Partner with R&D to identify long-term innovation needs and initiate clean label, better-for-you product development (high protein, low-carb, gluten-free focus)
• Monitor competitive pricing, new product launches, and market activity to keep management informed and strategies sharp
• Support evaluation and integration of potential acquisition targets in the bakery blends and adjacent categories
• Maintain regular reporting of sales activity and market developments to the Business Unit Director and executive team
• Resolve escalated customer issues by investigating, building solutions, and coordinating across departments

THE REAL TALK

This company operates under a parent company structure, which means systems and processes are standardized across four entities. They are in the process of upgrading their SAP environment, but they are not there yet. The new hire will be part of that transition when it comes, and the CEO has been transparent: the goal is to not stay in the dinosaur era, but they are not at the finish line yet.

Travel is significant: up to 60% of the time. This role requires someone who is energized by being in the market, not someone who tolerates it.

If you are looking for a fully built-out infrastructure and a defined playbook, this is probably not the right fit. If you want ownership of a national category expansion with real executive visibility and room to put your mark on a growth strategy, this is worth a serious look.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• 10+ years of experience in bakery blends, bakery mixes, or a closely related bakery ingredient manufacturing environment
• Proven track record as a hunter in B2B business development or strategic sales within food manufacturing or ingredient supply
• Experience leading and managing teams of 3-5+, including direct reports and/or broker networks
• Background at a bakery blends or mixes manufacturer (not finished bakery products)
• Strong understanding of bakery category competitive dynamics, pricing, and customer segments at a national level
• Excellent communication and diplomacy skills with demonstrated ability to influence internal teams and engage senior-level external customers
• Ability to travel up to 60%
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Business Administration, Sales Management, or related field preferred

Bonus Points:

• Experience across clean label or better-for-you product categories (high protein, gluten-free, low-carb)
• Background in evaluating or supporting acquisition targets
• Familiarity with R&D collaboration in food ingredient innovation
• Existing relationships with foodservice, retail, or ingredient customer base in the bakery blends space

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base Salary: Up to $225,000, commensurate with experience (candidates above this range will be considered for exceptional fit)

Bonus: Up to 20% of base salary annually (director-level standard)

Travel Reimbursement: Company reimbursement for travel expenses; car allowance negotiable depending on location and scope

PTO: 20 days to start, with flexibility for the right candidate

Schedule: Full-time; additional hours as business demands require

Location: St. Louis preferred (hybrid or in-office). Candidates outside St. Louis in a major city with strong airport access may be considered for remote, given travel expectations.

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