Customer Manager

Customer Manager

Are you a dynamic professional with a passion for driving sales and market share growth? Join our team as a Customer Manager and take charge of managing our principals' business within designated customer accounts.

Responsibilities:

• Achieve sales goals:
  Deliver principals' objectives, including volume and sales fundamentals such as merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving goals at the assigned customers, all at the lowest cost.
• Strategic planning:
  Develop a comprehensive Customer Business Plan that aligns with the principals' business priorities and drives long-term success.
• Client engagement:
  Personally call on all decision-makers at the customer to present and sell business plans, programs, and concepts that enhance business results.
• Cost management:
  Achieve results at the lowest possible selling cost while maximizing company revenue through brokerage, commissions, bonuses, contest earnings, and more. Oversee all manufacturers' expenditures at the customer.
• In-store presence:
  Ensure a competitively superior in-store presence in the assigned stores by calling on headquarters, supervisors, and other customer operations personnel for both direct and indirect customers.
• Trade marketing:
  Manage manufacturers' trade marketing funds, process direct shipments via the Sales Support Coordinator, and leverage data to sell concepts to the customer.
• Budget adherence:
  Operate within the designated budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Proactive communication:
  Maintain open lines of communication with key principals to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Retail initiatives:
  Collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on major retail initiatives, including new product introductions, selling drives, and contests.
• Market knowledge:
  Utilize your knowledge of the customer, market, and principal to involve marketing, technology, and administrative resources in achieving objectives.
• Timely information sharing:
  Provide timely information on selling priorities to Retail Sales Managers, supervisors, and shared resources in marketing, technology, and administration.
• Team collaboration:
  Share information and customer/principal insights with team members to build organizational capacity and drive collective success.
• Technology utilization:
  Utilize computer systems and technology to achieve the objectives of the Customer Business Plan and continuously develop and maintain skill levels to support the use of Acosta communication systems.
• Feedback and improvement:
  Provide feedback to the Team Leader and/or General Manager on ways to build organizational capacity and improve business operations.
• Special projects:
  Complete special projects as requested, contributing to the overall success of the team.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  
  Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent work experience.
• Experience:
  
  A minimum of six+ months of relevant experience in retail (CPG industry), marketing, space management, and/or resets. Sales administration or finance experience is preferred. Background in natural organic specialty business sourced through UNFI or KeHe is a plus.
• Technical skills:
  Expertise in Microsoft software, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook, along with thorough knowledge of web-based applications. Excellent presentation and communication skills are a must.
• Project management:
  Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with strong organizational skills.

Physical requirements:

• Sit for extended periods (typically 6+ hours per day).
• Use a computer, including keyboard and mouse, for prolonged periods.
• Lift and carry light items (e.g., files, office supplies, laptops, typically 20+ pounds).
• Reach, bend, or stoop occasionally to access files or office materials.
• Maintain focus and attention for long periods of desk-based work.
• Follow clear directions.
• Perform repetitive motions (e.g., typing, clicking) consistently throughout the day.

Join us and be part of a team that values strategic thinking, proactive communication, and a commitment to achieving sales excellence. Apply today to make a significant impact as a Customer Manager!