Customer Development Manager

Job Details:

Job Location:

MA, Position Type:
Full Time, Salary Range: $ - $ Salary/year, Job Shift: Any,

Yamamotoyama U.S.A. stands as a testament to the art of traditional Japanese green tea and nori seaweed products, upholding a commitment to unparalleled quality since 1690. Our culture is enriched by diverse backgrounds, all striving to find their unique voice in a harmonious blend. This spirit of unity in diversity extends to our portfolio, which includes the globally recognized Stash Tea Company, offering an expansive array of premium teas.

In addition, we proudly present Ujido, a brand deeply rooted in the art and tradition of Japanese Matcha. Our dedication to excellence is not just in our products, but in the mosaic of voices that shape our legacy.

US Remote - East Coast/Midwest (IL, NJ, NY, MA Preferred)

The Customer Development Manager is a strategic leader responsible for accelerating profitable growth, expanding market share, and strengthening customer partnerships across Grocery, Mass, Club, and Natural channels. This role owns the development and execution of customer-specific strategies that maximize sales, profit, and trade investment effectiveness while advancing the long-term growth of the Stash and UJIDO brands within the North America tea category.

It serves as a key connector between internal functions, broker partners, and retail customers to ensure disciplined execution, strong forecasting, and high-impact go-to-market plans. Grocery, mass, club, and natural are all core channels within the broader multi-outlet landscape.

• Core Responsibility:
  Drive gross sales, profit delivery, and trade spend optimization for Grocery, Mass, Club, and Natural accounts.
• Strategic Responsibility:
  Develop and execute joint business plans with strategic customers to drive distribution, velocity, and category growth.
• Technical Responsibility:
  Leverage TPM tools to manage forecasting, trade spend, promotions, and scenario planning with rigor and accuracy.
• Operational Responsibility:
  Partner with Trade Strategy, Analytics, Marketing and Operations to align pricing, promotion, assortment, and execution plans.
• Collaboration:
  
  Direct broker activity with clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability for in-store and customer execution. Perform other duties as needed and directed by management.

• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency in TPM (Trade Promotion Management) tools, CRM platforms, and retail analytics software (e.g., Nielsen, SPINS, IRI). Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for customer presentations and data analysis.
• Compliance/
  
  Soft Skills:
  
  Demonstrated strategic influence and commercial acumen with the ability to balance revenue growth, margin, and trade efficiency. Strong analytical decision-making skills; ability to build trusted executive-level relationships with key retail and broker partners. Cross-functional collaboration skills with a track record of turning strategy into measurable results.

• Assists with special projects as assigned.
• Provides backup support to other departments during peak periods.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or related field required.
• 5+ years of progressive CPG sales experience in Grocery, Mass, Club, or Natural channels.
• Experience managing broker networks and leading joint business planning with major retail accounts is strongly preferred.

Standard office environment with frequent travel to customer headquarters, trade shows, and partner events. Remote work flexibility may be available; travel is estimated at 30-40% of the time, depending on the account…