Open role
[Remote] Director, Sales Development & Activation
Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Affinity Group is hiring a Director of Sales Development & Activation to strengthen regional sales performance through field coaching, technology adoption, and scalable learning frameworks. The role partners with sales leaders and Marketing and Sales Enablement teams to improve sales execution, develop field-ready tools, and track performance and adoption.
Responsibilities
- Partner with Regional and Market Managers to drive consistent execution of company, client, and customer standards while reinforcing accountability for sales planning, execution, and technology initiatives
- Conduct structured ride‑alongs and live coaching focused on call planning, objection handling, upselling, and follow‑through to strengthen executional consistency
- Develop post‑onboarding sales talent through advanced skill clinics, application labs, and individualized coaching plans in collaboration with Market Managers
- Build scalable best‑practice frameworks for distributor reviews, sales meetings, and operator planning sessions that can be replicated across regions
- Lead technology and marketing enablement tools in the field by facilitating adoption of CRM, NXT (including AI applications), and new marketing toolkits through live demonstrations, application training, and coaching reinforcement
- Embed CRM and technology tools into daily workflows by establishing clear usage standards, measuring engagement, and partnering with Market Managers to model and reinforce best practices
- Reinforce CRM hygiene and reporting accuracy to ensure post‑call data integrity and actionable analytics
- Capture field insights and publish concise reports outlining trends, opportunities, and executional gaps
- Define, track, and report key performance indicators related to sales execution, technology adoption, and client initiatives
- Maintain coaching trackers, adoption metrics, and performance dashboards to provide visibility for leadership
- Partner with Corporate Marketing and Sales Enablement teams to co‑develop field‑ready materials, including playbooks, job aids, and digital assets aligned with campaigns, client priorities, and CRM definitions
- Lead program rollouts both in person and virtually, piloting initiatives, measuring effectiveness, refining content, and driving adoption through field feedback loops
- Facilitate regional debriefs with key stakeholders—including Region Presidents, Market Managers, and Segment Leads—mid‑trimester and post‑trimester to align on progress, results, and support needs
- Maintain consistent communication cadence with executive stakeholders through structured updates and reporting
- Manage regional travel schedules, expenses, and logistics to support efficient field engagement and program execution
- Ensure efficient scheduling and coordination of field activities to maximize time, impact, and resource utilization
Skills
- 5+ years of success in foodservice sales, manufacturer representation, or distributor management
- Proven ability to coach, train, and influence field sales teams through structured development, market visits, and skill reinforcement
- Demonstrated success in delivering and driving technology and CRM adoption—skilled at integrating CRM, analytics tools, and digital selling platforms into daily field execution
- Strong understanding of marketing enablement—able to translate marketing assets, campaigns, and data insights into actionable field selling activities
- Proficient in data-driven decision-making, using tools such as CRM reporting, Power BI, and other analytics dashboards to track performance and adoption trends
- Skilled at cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Sales Enablement, and HR to align regional training needs and client priorities
- Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to motivate, influence, and gain alignment across multiple stakeholder levels
- Highly organized and process-driven; adept at trimester planning, KPI tracking, and delivering measurable results through repeatable frameworks
- Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-market environment, balancing fieldwork and strategic planning
- Proficient with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint) and CRM systems; familiarity with learning management systems and virtual training platforms preferred
- Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation; travel required within assigned regional markets
- Bachelor's degree
- Experience working with key foodservice distributors, manufacturers, and CMC/GPO accounts
- Familiarity with learning management systems and virtual training platforms
Company Overview