NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – RETAIL (Bakery / Deli)

National Account Manager – Retail | Midwest USA
Required Start Date: Early January 2027
Territory: Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin
Location: Remote/Home Office Based Near a Major Midwest Airport
Travel: Extensive Travel Throughout the Territory
About Bridor
Bridor is a North American leader in the development and manufacturing of premium European-style breads, pastries, croissants, and viennoiserie. As part of Groupe Le Duff, Bridor combines traditional French baking expertise with modern manufacturing technology to deliver innovative, high-quality bakery products to retail, foodservice, and hospitality customers throughout North America.
As our business continues to grow, we offer employees the opportunity to contribute directly to our products, customer relationships, market expansion, and long-term success.
To learn more about Bridor, our products, and our company, visit america.bridor.com .
Position Summary
Bridor is beginning its search for a National Account Manager – Retail to join our team in early January 2027. We are starting the recruitment process in advance to identify an experienced sales professional who has a genuine passion for bakery and can help accelerate Bridor’s growth throughout the Midwest.
This position requires an established network of relationships with retail instore bakery buyers, category managers, brokers, and distributors, particularly those connected to leading grocery and retail food chains across the Midwest. The National Account Manager will use these relationships to introduce Bridor’s premium bakery products, secure new listings, expand distribution, grow strategic accounts, and strengthen our presence within In-Store Bakery, Deli, and Fresh perimeter departments.
This is a high-impact sales position for a true hunter and relationship builder who is competitive, naturally curious, organized, collaborative, and motivated to win. The ideal candidate understands the Midwest grocery landscape and can turn industry knowledge and strong customer relationships into sustainable, profitable growth.
Key Responsibilities
Identify, prospect, and secure new retail grocery accounts and product opportunities throughout the Midwest
Use established relationships to reach decision-makers within grocery retail headquarters, In-Store Bakery and Deli departments, brokers, and distributors
Grow existing accounts by expanding distribution, increasing product assortments, introducing new products, and improving product placement
Build strong relationships with retail buyers, category managers, merchandising teams, brokers, and distributor partners
Develop a thorough understanding of each customer’s business, category priorities, challenges, competitors, and growth opportunities
Prepare and deliver line reviews, category reviews, new-item presentations, business reviews, and sales proposals
Develop and strengthen relationships with UNFI, AWG, KeHE, and other key Midwest distribution partners
Present ideas and solutions that help customers grow their Bakery and Deli categories while positioning Bridor as a strategic business partner
Develop sales forecasts, maintain a strong opportunity pipeline, track performance, and keep CRM activity and account plans current
Partner with Marketing, Research and Development, Production, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Operations, and Logistics to support customer opportunities and product launches
Represent Bridor at customer meetings, distributor events, trade shows, and other industry events
Take ownership of new business development, distribution expansion, account growth, and overall territory performance
Required Qualifications
Five or more years of successful B2B sales experience selling directly to retail grocery chains
A genuine passion for bakery products and the premium bakery industry
Experience selling products into In-Store Bakery and/or In-Store Deli departments
Established relationships with Midwest retail buyers, category managers, brokers, and distributors
Strong contacts within leading grocery and retail food chains throughout the Midwest
Experience working with both UNFI and AWG
Strong understanding of the grocery retail sales process, including buyer presentations, category reviews, new-item introductions, and securing product listings
Demonstrated success developing new business, opening new accounts, and growing existing retail customers
Ability to manage a large geographic territory and an active sales pipeline
Ability to travel extensively throughout the Midwest
Residence near a major airport within or convenient to the assigned territory
Availability to begin employment in early January 2027
Preferred Experience
Bakery, frozen bakery, frozen food, Deli, Fresh perimeter, or related food and consumer packaged goods experience
Experience selling to leading Midwest grocery retailers such as Aldi, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Schnucks, SpartanNash, Fresh Thyme, Fareway, Coborn’s, Dierbergs, Woodman’s, Lunds & Byerlys, or similar regional chains
Experience working with KeHE and other major grocery distributors
Private-label sales experience
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field
What Will Make You Successful
Enthusiasm for premium bakery products and the ability to communicate that passion to customers
Established credibility with retail buyers, brokers, distributors, and category managers
Competitive mindset and motivation to win new accounts, product listings, and expanded distribution
Curiosity about customers, their categories, competitors, and changing market conditions
Ability to ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and uncover new opportunities
Strong sense of urgency, ownership, and personal accountability
Excellent organization, pipeline management, and follow-through
Ability to work independently while knowing when to engage internal resources
Persistence and resilience throughout long sales cycles
Strong presentation, communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills
Ability to identify opportunities, develop strategies, and convert relationships into profitable growth
Travel Requirements
Extensive travel throughout the Midwest territory
Regular travel to customer headquarters, distributor locations, retail stores, trade shows, and industry events
Occasional travel outside the territory for company meetings, training, or other business needs
Compensation and Sales Incentives
Bridor Offers a Competitive Sales Compensation Package That Includes
Competitive base salary
Performance-based bonus opportunity
Monthly vehicle stipend
Mileage reimbursement for eligible business travel
Company-provided tools and resources to support customer development and travel
Benefits at Bridor USA
Bridor USA offers a comprehensive benefits package beginning on the first day of employment, which includes:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan with company match
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Company-paid life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Training and professional development
Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Apply Today
Bridor is recruiting now for an early January 2027 start date. Candidates must be available to begin employment at that time.
If you have a passion for bakery, strong relationships within the Midwest grocery retail market, and a successful record of developing new business and growing strategic accounts, we encourage you to apply.

Work arrangement
Yes