Business Manager, Own Brands

Summary

Business Manager - Hybrid in Chicago, IL

We build people, brands and businesses! We are looking for a dynamic Business Manager to join one of our account teams. Reporting to a Senior Business Manager or Director, this position is responsible for the overall management of a single account with limited categories and limited team functions or a key category or categories within a larger account in the brokerage business.

Take this opportunity to join North America's leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

What we offer:

* Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)

* 401(k) with company match

* Training and Career Development

* Generous Paid Time-Off

Responsibilities:

* Ensure execution of the Large Account Management Process framework to identify the most critical initiatives and relationships and work with the team to lay out short and long-term plans to achieve relationships at the appropriate level for the account or assigned category business unit.

* Demonstrate functional expertise in all facets of Private Brand & Branding via on-the-job development, educational and networking opportunities.

* Lead analytical efforts, including sales performance reporting, trend analysis, forecasting, and insights development to inform business strategy.

* Translate insights into actionable recommendations that support sales growth, supplier strategies, and Topco objectives.

* Partner cross-functionally across insights, sales, marketing, and supply chain to execute account strategies.

* Drive initiatives that support category growth, supplier performance, and overall account objectives.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree required; MBA/Graduate Degree preferred

* 3 years of professional work experience required; 5 years preferred

* Experience in building and nurturing brands; private brand management a plus

* Good grasp of Product Development, Marketing, Retail, Category Management, and Logistics

* Strong background in analytics, insights, or data-driven decision-making, ideally within retail, CPG, brokerage, or category management.

* Proven ability to translate data and insights into sales-driving actions.

* Customer-facing experience with the ability to communicate insights clearly and influence stakeholders.

* Strong collaboration, communication, and execution skills in a hybrid work environment.

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

The Company is one of North America's leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Job Duty

Business/Functional Results

* Achieve budgeted goals for area of accountability

* Support account team in the development of sales plans

* Effectively negotiate supplier commission rates to grow category or team revenue

* Perform, coordinate and lead the analysis and development of: marketing plans; product promotions; advertising; in-store displays; merchandising strategies; and inventory forecasting

* Manages assigned categories, performs analysis, and develops and recommends strategy within assigned area of responsibility

* Interprets trends and other sales analysis data to assist Sr. Business Manager

* Performs increasingly complex interactions with suppliers, taking ownership and including rate negotiation

* Collaborates and partners with marketing resources, both internal and external (note: international may have more autonomy to develop their own marketing plans)

* May assist with needs for innovation

* Demonstrates increased innovation and autonomy around marketing, brand management and consumer data analytics; may lead team providing more experience and covering more suppliers

* Performs activities in a consultative manner, influencing and convincing buyers, effectively selling various services

Managing Execution

* Ensure execution of the LAMP framework to identify the most critical initiatives and relationships and work with the team to lay out short and long term plans to achieve relationships at the appropriate level for the account or assigned category business unit

* Allocate resources at the account level or within assigned category business unit

* Demonstrate functional expertise in all facets of Private Brand & Branding via on-the-job development, educational and networking opportunities

* Develop strong supplier relationships by obtaining alignment and developing and delivering on mutually established goals.

Generating Talent

* Attract, develop and retain key talent to enable the execution of the collective goals of the customer and…