National Sales Manager

National Sales Manager - Ferndale Foods Australia

Location: Delacombe, Ballarat
Salary: Competitive, circa $170,000 per annum, plus performance-based incentives

Ferndale Foods Australia is a fast-growing, family-owned food manufacturing business based in Ballarat, Victoria. Ferndale owns well-known brands such as Jila Mints, Jols Pastilles, So Soft Marshmallows and Team Nutrition and operates one of Australia's largest snack bar production facilities. With a strong focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, Ferndale supplies both branded and private-label products across major supermarkets, retailers, and export markets.

On behalf of Ferndale Foods Australia, we are looking for a National Sales Manager to lead their next phase of growth as they expand their market reach and continue to innovate. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in a forward-thinking, high-quality company with world-class facilities, while fostering long-term career growth and development.

The Impact of Your Role:

As the National Sales Manager, you will be directly responsible for shaping Ferndale's sales strategy and ensuring that their world-class products reach an even wider audience. This is a senior leadership role where you will not only drive profitability but also lead and develop a dynamic sales team, working together with the CEO and senior leadership team to shape the company's future direction.

Your leadership will be instrumental in managing major retail partnerships, expanding into new markets, and bringing innovative products to the forefront of consumer demand. By leveraging your expertise, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Ferndale's market position and ensure the continued success of their iconic brands.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Growth Leadership:

• Lead the development and execution of a national sales strategy aligned with Ferndale's long-term goals.
• Identify new growth opportunities both domestically and internationally along with capitalising on emerging market trends.
• Enhance brand presence through strategic partnerships, innovative channel development, and market expansion.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing sales team, setting clear KPIs and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Provide leadership in recruitment, training, and performance management to ensure team success and growth.

P&L Management & Commercial Strategy:

• Oversee full P&L responsibility for the sales division, ensuring consistent revenue growth and profitability.
• Work closely with finance and operations to optimise pricing strategies, trade spend, and profit margins.
• Implement process improvements in sales operations to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Customer & Key Account Leadership:

• Lead key customer relationships with major retailers, distributors, and partners, ensuring strong commercial agreements and sustainable partnerships.
• Manage high-value contracts, negotiate terms, and deliver exceptional customer satisfaction.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Growth:

• Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to align sales efforts with production, ensuring seamless product delivery.
• Provide valuable market insights for new product development (NPD) initiatives.
• Contribute to high-level strategic discussions, shaping the future direction of Ferndale Foods.

Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for a dynamic sales leader with a proven track record of delivering sales growth in FMCG, food, or retail sectors. Your experience in strategic planning, P&L management, and key account management will set you up for success. You'll also have a deep understanding of the Australian retail landscape, as well as strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.

Key Experience & Skills:

• 10+ years of senior sales leadership experience, ideally in FMCG, food, or retail.
• Demonstrated success in driving sales strategy and delivering business results.
• Extensive experience with P&L management, financial accountability, and budgeting.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop a team.
• Deep understanding of the Australian grocery, retail, and foodservice markets.

What's On Offer:

• Leadership Impact: A strategic role within a high-growth company with iconic, globally recognised brands.
• Autonomy & Growth: Shape and lead the national sales function while contributing to long-term business success.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a passionate team of professionals in a culture that values innovation and teamwork.
• Competitive Package: Attractive salary package, performance-based incentives, and hybrid working arrangements.

Why Ferndale Foods?

By joining Ferndale Foods, you'll become a key player in a forward-thinking company with long-term career opportunities, an outstanding workplace culture, and a commitment to excellence. This is your chance to make an impact on both the company and the communities they serve.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Justin Thompson at Workforce Extensions at 0418 392 056.