Customer Business Manager, Wakefern Yogurt and RTD Shakes

About The Job

The Customer Business Manager for Wakefern Yogurt and RTD Shakes will develop and execute sales strategies to grow Danone North America’s Yogurt and RTD Shakes business. Wakefern is a key regional player and a top 10 grocery customer. This role serves as the primary customer contact, presenting and selling Danone North America products to retailers. The manager will understand customer business needs and develop short and long-term strategies that support customer goals while delivering company sales targets and financial expectations.

They will execute company plans at the customer level by building customer and category plans in partnership with internal stakeholders. The role will also lead and coordinate cross-functional customer efforts, including category management, shopper marketing, customer service, and other teams, to deliver the customer plan.

The Customer Business Manager for Wakefern Yogurt and RTD Shakes will develop and execute sales strategies to grow Danone North America’s Yogurt and RTD Shakes business. Wakefern is a key regional player and a top 10 grocery customer. This role serves as the primary customer contact, presenting and selling Danone North America products to retailers. The manager will understand customer business needs and develop short and long-term strategies that support customer goals while delivering company sales targets and financial expectations.

They will execute company plans at the customer level by building customer and category plans in partnership with internal stakeholders. The role will also lead and coordinate cross-functional customer efforts, including category management, shopper marketing, customer service, and other teams, to deliver the customer plan.

• Build and execute the customer plan to grow the business Coordinate selling process for the given customer /categories to deliver Financial Objectives
• Gain a deep understanding of customer needs and priorities (e.g., their KPIs, business/category goals, etc.)
• Enhance relationship with customer and Danone NA Build and maintain relationships with key customer personnel
• Develop calendar for customer-touchpoints – regular connects with Wakefern Category managers and analysts
• Monitor account performance Manage trade spending, promotional programs, spending across the brands to reach targets
• Deliver in-store execution performance Help define what success looks like in the store in coordination with the Director
• Provide customer/category feedback internally Communicate customer needs to internal stakeholders
• Lead cross functional team communication (supply chain, customer service, shopper marketing, etc.) related to promotion, merchandising, and distribution

• Develop sales/account plans to meet customer objectives while operating within Danone North America corporate initiatives and guidelines (e.g., customized SKUs, operational targets, etc.)
• Look for opportunities to gain distribution on new products and improve product exposure (shelf positioning, advertising, and promotions) – including monitoring what competitors are doing
• Manage the development and delivery for all customer presentations
• Represent Danone NA during annual trade shows, conferences and events attended by customer
• Provide key inputs for demand planning and distributor teams– own the bottom-up forecast, provide key input into the bottom-up forecast
• Provide category thought leadership and insights from customer to drive both category growth and business across Danone NA
• Communicate emerging market needs and requirements for product development
• Communicate and manage outlook of future Purchase Orders and proactively identify potential risks with the Customer

• Manage 1 Direct Report – Sale Analyst
• P&L Responsibility - $60MM Net Sales

The salary range for this position is $100,000 – $140,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental,…