National Sales Manager

About Us

Ampersand Brands is a growing portfolio of beloved confectionery brands, including Hammond’s Candies, the iconic hand-crafted candy maker, and Lolli & Pops, a premium retail and gifting brand with a national presence. The company is backed by strong growth ambitions, combining innovation, brand storytelling, and operational excellence to expand its reach and solidify its position as a leading player in the U.S. confections industry.

Ampersand Brands is seeking a high-performing National Sales Manager to drive distribution expansion across Mass, Drug, Grocery, and Specialty channels for Hammonds and Lolli & Pops.

This role is ideal for a strong operator who has successfully managed national or regional accounts and is ready to take on broader channel ownership within a growing confectionery platform.

Key Responsibilities

Channel Growth & Account Management:

●     Drive new distribution across Mass and Drug retail accounts

●     Manage and grow Tier 3–4 accounts, including specialty, gifting, hotels, and regional retailers

●     Identify white space opportunities and develop actionable penetration strategies

●     Execute annual sales plans aligned with revenue and margin targets

●     Build retailer-specific pitch decks and assortment recommendations

Retailer & Broker Execution:

●     Lead HQ and regional buyer calls

●     Manage day-to-day broker relationships to ensure alignment and follow-through

●     Conduct regular business reviews with brokers and distributor partners

●     Support distributor relationships, including Vistar, Redstone, and Nassau

●     Monitor trade spend and promotional effectiveness

Data-Driven Selling:

●     Utilize SPINS, IRI, Circana, and POS data to support retailer pitches

●     Analyze velocity, assortment gaps, and competitive landscape

●     Build fact-based selling stories to secure incremental shelf space

Trade & Field Engagement:

●     Represent the brands at 10–15 trade shows annually

●     Build relationships across confectionery and specialty retail networks

●     Travel regularly for retailer meetings and market visits

Qualifications:

●     5–8+ years CPG sales experience

●     Candy or premium snack experience preferred

●     Experience calling on Grocery, Specialty, Mass, or Drug accounts

●     Exposure to HQ-level retailer meetings

●     Broker management experience

●     Strong analytical and presentation skills

●     Highly organized and comfortable managing multiple accounts simultaneously

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• The chance to lead not one, but two iconic brands — with very different but equally lovable personalities.
• A small, scrappy team that punches above its weight.
• A culture rooted in thoughtfulness, creativity, and joy.

Denver, CO preferred | Remote considered
Travel: ~50%