Customer Manager - Natural Specialty

The Customer Manager will cover the territory & surrounding area they are hired for in a given market. Develops relationships with store managers/personnel to achieve directed short and long-term performance objectives at assigned stores within a geographic territory. Activities center on wall-to-wall sales coverage including new item speed-to-shelf, schematic compliance, item and pricing surveys, promotion selling and product merchandising, resulting in incremental sales volume.

The ideal candidate is a highly self-motivated individual who will effectively represent our clients and sell their products in Natural and Specialty retailers. Candidates must be personable and highly organized.

In-Store responsibilities

• Sells promotional programs for displays at independent natural retailers purchasing from UNFI and/or Kehe
• Sells incremental quantities for display and TPR based on OI programs through the distributors.
• Develops relationships with store managers and buyers through impeccable communication and follow through.
• Obtains distribution and placement of client new items at independent natural retailers through UNFI and/or Kehe.
• Identifies and corrects voids.        
• Merchandises manufacturer’s products to obtain best possible shelf placement
• Attends retailer resets when requested.
• Completes audits and pricing surveys in stores as requested.

Communications

• Communicates competitive and market activity to management.
• Utilizes supplied technology to report on results.
• Sets and reviews performance against objectives with Sales Manager

Retailer Key Account Support

• Ensures that all retailer new item paperwork is prepared correctly and submitted by deadline.
• Regularly presents and gains approval for new items. Proactively communicates with vendors regarding line and program status.
• Partners with vendors to create promotional programs to offer retailers. Ensures that all retailer promotional paperwork is prepared correctly and submitted by deadline.
• Presents, confirms promotions; ensures that promotional product is ordered and arrives to retailer as requested.

Trade Shows and Events  

• Attends and represents vendors at Trade Shows as needed.
• Attends vendor meetings and events as requested by needed.

Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent work experience
• Professional or personal experience with the Natural Food Industry preferred
• Candidate must have ample home space to store samples required for this position.
• Must possess strong interpersonal, organizational and sales skills with the ability to work effectively with team members, peers, management, and external customer contacts.
• Basic Office (Outlook, Excel) functionality comprehension required and proficient in managing Outlook e-mail and calendar, as well as excel basic workbooks.
• Must have a valid driver's license, proof of current auto insurance and be able to drive a car for extended periods of time.
• Physically able to perform the essential functions of the job; crawl and/or climb, stand (up to 33%), frequently pull, bend and/or stop, kneel, push, walk (33-66%), continuously use hands and/or legs for repetitive motion, lift - up to 10 lbs. (sedentary level), 11-25 lbs. (light level), greater than 25 lbs. (medium work level) (up to 75%).
• This position requires that you drive on behalf of Acosta Sales & Marketing, and as such, any DUI/DWI conviction in the past 36 months will be an immediate disqualifier for this position.

Acosta Sales & Marketing is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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