Zonal Sales Manager

This role is for one of the Weekday's clientsWe are seeking an experienced Zonal Sales Manager (ZSM) to lead sales operations, strategy, and business development across key regions in India. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, deep market understanding, and proven expertise in driving revenue growth within the Food Ingredients, Bakery, and Food & Beverages sectors.RequirementsKey Details Nature of Role: Zonal Sales Leadership at the Corporate Level Education: Master's degree in Business Administration, Sales & Marketing, or a related field from a reputed institute Experience: Minimum 12 years in Pan-India Sales Management and Customer Service within leading Bakery, Food Service, or FMCG organizations (revenue exceeding ₹500 Cr) Age Range: 35–50 years Industry Preference: Food Ingredients | Bakery | Frozen Desserts | Confectionery | Dairy | Snacks | Packaged Foods | Frozen & Processed Foods | Beverages | Condiments & Spices Working Days: Alternate Saturdays for the first 6 months; 5-day week thereafter Travel Requirement: Extensive (up to 50%) Geographical Coverage: North ZSM: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh South ZSM: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Lakshadweep East ZSM: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, West Bengal, parts of Northeast India West ZSM: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan Reporting Structure: ZSM → Sales Head → MD Career Growth: Potential progression to National Sales Manager, Chief Sales Officer, and eventually COO/CEO, based on performance Reason for Vacancy: Expansion initiative to double sales revenue within three years Key ResponsibilitiesSales Strategy & Planning Develop and implement effective zonal sales strategies to achieve business objectives and revenue targets. Analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities. Collaborate with Marketing, Product Development, and Operations teams for cross-functional alignment. Client Acquisition & Relationship Management Identify, engage, and acquire key clients within the Bakery and Food Service industry. Maintain strong relationships with major accounts to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. Team Leadership & Development Lead, coach, and mentor a team of sales professionals to meet and exceed performance goals. Establish structured systems for performance review, capability development, and continuous improvement. Build a results-driven, high-performing sales culture. Market Expansion & Business Development Drive business growth by exploring new markets, channels, and customer segments. Represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and industry events to strengthen brand presence. Sales Reporting & Analysis Track and analyze sales performance metrics to identify improvement areas. Prepare regular performance reports, forecasts, and business insights for senior management. Budget & Resource Management Plan and manage the sales budget effectively to ensure optimal resource allocation. Oversee accurate forecasting, budgeting, and pipeline management for the assigned zone. Desired Candidate Profile Strong background in Sales Leadership, Channel Sales, and Key Account Management. Proven ability to manage teams of 8+ members and deliver annual sales of ₹30–40 Cr+. In-depth understanding of the Indian Bakery & Food Service Market. Excellent analytical, strategic, and decision-making abilities. Innovative thinker with the ability to design and implement scalable sales systems. Outstanding communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.