Jobs

The Company

TCHO Ventures, Inc. is a startup premium chocolate manufacturing and sales company based in San Francisco. The company manufactures couverture for confectioners and food service customers, develops and sells its own retail branded and co-branded products through upscale hospitality and, later, wholesale channels, and sells through its own highly developed website. It will soon also sell through its factory store in a high tourist traffic area of San Francisco. To achieve this, the company is focused on building a seasoned team.

This dynamic and entrepreneurial company is looking for the right person to head up its business-to-business sales department on both the California Regional and the National levels. As a valued member of the company's team, the Vice President of Sales will report to the President and work closely with the heads of the Marketing, Product Development, Finance and Production departments and with Senior Management. Initiative, creativity and innovation will be required to develop and drive sales and will be rewarded. The Vice President of Sales will be responsible for the execution of the sales programs necessary to fulfill the sales portion of the TCHO Ventures, Inc. Business Plan.

Job Responsibilities

• Working with the President and other executives, update and execute the aggressive Sales Plan.
• Developing, updating and maintaining appropriate sales budgets and forecasts.
• Facilitating the accurate reporting of sales volumes and expenses.
• Working with and supervising the National Sales Manager, locating, training and supervising appropriate brokers in each geographic territory for the Manufacturer and Hospitality channels
• Working with and supervising the National Sales Manager, locating, training and supervising appropriate distributors and their sales forces in each geographic territory for the Food Service channel.
• Locating, training and supervising appropriate contractors or sales personnel for the Private Label channel.
• Arranging for appointments and traveling to the offices of company customers either personally or to accompany brokers, company personnel or distributors as needed to consummate and to maintain sales and to develop an intimate understanding of the customer's business, products, cycle time, logistics, expansion opportunities.
• Arranging for display booths and supervising and attending National and Regional sales and trade shows.
• Representing the company to National Trade Associations.
• Working with the Production Manager and the Controller, developing, updating, modifying and utilizing product pricing and costing templates to assure profitable sales.
• Working with the Marketing Director and staff, specifying the sales content and otherwise contributing to the text and design of collateral sales materials, show booths, and other sales support materials.
• Working with the Chief Creative Officer, the Marketing Director and the Chief Chocolate Officer, modifying and designing products to meet every-day and seasonal customer needs and demands.
• Maintaining Sales Calendars to assure appropriate response to sales seasons, events and promotions.
• Attaining and maintaining knowledge of Organic, Natural, Fair Trade and all other aspects of the chocolate industry.
• Developing a great sales team as and when budgeted, including the National Sales Manager, the National Key Accountss Manager and the Sales Coordinator.
• Perpetuating a high energy work environment that fosters teamwork and professionalism, recognizes good performance, drives idea generation and promotes company values.

Job Requirements

• At least 15 years experience developing sales in the food and beverage industry.
• Working knowledge and contacts in chocolate manufacturing, confectioners and hospitality channels.
• Successful track record in account development, project management and innovative presentation and customer service.
• High energy self-starter who has a positive outlook and is passionate about chocolate.
• Strong analytic and organizational skills; written and oral communication skills; negotiating and relationship skills.
• Start-up and chocolate industry experience a plus.
• Located within commute to San Francisco and willing to travel

To Apply
Please send your resume to jobs@tcho.com with subject line: "Position: Vice President of Sales"

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The Production Manager is responsible for the successful planning for and production of high end dark chocolate products to meet inventory needs and direct fulfillment of retail, wholesale, industrial and B to B customer orders. The production manager will be hired several months prior to the opening of the new chocolate factory to assist in system planning, process flow development, certification processes, and hiring.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning and maintaining weekly production schedules and implementing production schedules based on sales forecasts and inventory planning.
• Provide key input and assist in selection and implementation of MRP software to meet the needs of the product throughout it's lifecycle.
• Adapt corporate policies and programs (ISO, HACCP, GMP etc) into formal production plans and related schemes for factory.
• Function as the production lead in interdepartmental meetings between Product Development, Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Sourcing and/or Inventory Control.
• Focus on developing, planning, and implementing process improvements that result in quality, productivity, and safety improvements.
• Develop, maintain and report key metrics for production
• Continuous monitoring and improvement of plant production rate, efficiencies, yields, and costs.
• Involvement in specifying, procuring and integrating equipment into production lines.
• Responsible for development, planning, and implementation of preventative maintenance schedules
• Responsible for development and launch of IIPP.

Job Requirements

• Thorough "hand's-on" knowledge of food processing/manufacturing conducted within the guidelines established by Good Manufacturing Practices.
• 10+ years production and production planning experience / 7+ years of management/supervisory level experience.
• Chocolate manufacturing experience a strong plus
• USDA, HACCP, FDA, AIB, and OSHA experience is necessary
• Familiarity with Organic Certification process and operation strong plus
• A team player with good organizational, analytical, interpersonal, technical & training skills.
• Must be a results-driven self-starter, able to function independently, with the ability to work with and direct all employees on multiple shifts in a moderate to high-speed packaging facility.
• A working knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems associated with food processing and food packaging equipment.
• Experience managing projects from conceptualization to production with high follow-through record.
• Ability to implement plant productivity projects with the effective use of technology and processes, along with managing capital projects, with regards to plant expansion and upgrades.
• Experience administering or developing preventative safety programs.
• Strong communication skills.
• Flexibility to work during off shifts and during weekends as needed.
• Strong computer skills, significant experience with ERP/MRP software

To Apply
Please send your resume to jobs@tcho.com with subject line: "Position: Production Manager"

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