Market Development Leader II - WA

Overview

At Utz, we’re driven by a passion to excite and delight consumers with bold, flavorful snack foods made from high‑quality ingredients. With more than a century of family heritage, our growing portfolio of iconic brands includes Utz, Zapp’s, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. Our people power our success. That’s why we’re committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and high‑performance culture where associates can grow, lead, and thrive.

We invest in our teams with competitive benefits, career development opportunities, and wellness programs that support both professional and personal success. Join our world‑class sales organization and help shape the future as we build the fastest‑growing pure‑play U.S. snacking company of scale.

The Opportunity:
Market Development Leader II-Central WA

Under the direction of the Sales Operations Director (SOD), the Market Development Leader II (MDL II) partners with Independent Operators (IOs) and Master Distributors (distributors) to achieve maximum sales profitability and market penetration using selling strategies and proactive communications. The MDL II informs IOs and distributors of the Company’s initiatives for sales, service, merchandising standards, and product distribution. At all times, the MDL II recognizes that IOs and Master Distributors are not subject to the company’s direction and control as they are Company partners to increase the sale of products.

• Communicate the Company’s sales, service, and merchandising strategies to the IOs and distributors to ensure proactive and professional relations and the shared goal of gaining market share.
• Ensure that the obligations and rights of both the Company IOs and Distributors are preserved.
• Prepare weekly volume and inventory reports and KPI scorecards.
• Provide a weekly Sales/IO Work-with planner to SOD.
• Spend time on the DC loading docks with the IOs to hear their concerns.
• Facilitate ways to improve IOs and distributors’ results by providing information on growth opportunities (e.g., promotional activity, store-level planograms, successful new product introductions, securing additional space, obtaining new points of interruption) and building relationships at store level.
• Assist the MDL I and SOD in planning regularly scheduled workshop meetings to encourage IOs and distributors to use all tools and mediums available to realize the full sales potential of their business.
• Work to reinforce with retail store managers and store decision makers that Utz supports IOs and distributors and values their relationships with the Company.
• Conduct store visits in the assigned region to maintain open and proactive business relationships with the management teams of our customers and store decision makers, offering Company display concepts, seasonal planning tactics, and product promotions or introductions; reinforce that IOs and distributors, not the Company, invoice products to their stores.
• Use the Store Summary form to identify successes and opportunities to grow DSD sales and address IOs when they are not meeting minimum service standards per contractual obligations.
• Ensure that required resets are successful.
• Run an open route occasionally when the Company has bought a route back from an IO or distributor. Operate a motor vehicle, including a route box truck, safely.
• Provide route ride-alongs, only at the request of the Independent Distributor, offering route optimization and skill sharing opportunities.
• Act as a key liaison between Independent Operators and the Company Settlement Department to assist in resolving IO issues regarding Settlement Statements.
• Work proactively in a cross-functional team with diverse groups of people.
• Work with management and associates to ensure Food Safety programs are followed.
• Report food, office or operational safety problems to a supervisor or manager to initiate action.
• Adhere to all policies, guidelines, and procedures, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs); OSHA standards; FDA standards; and work and safety rules at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned that will impact and support the overall outcome of the Company’s objectives.

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