Customer Development Manager

Summary

Customer Development Manager Direct Team Retail

At our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses The foundation of retail is built on strong relationships and rapport. Employment as a F/T Customer Development Manager (CDM), includes representing, selling and merchandising brands at retail grocery outlets within assigned territories. This position is responsible for selling, distributing, merchandising and executing project work while maintaining strong in-store relationships.

What we offer:

• Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and Career Development
• Paid Time-Off

Responsibilities

• Selling and acting as brand ambassador.
• Meet or exceed Client and Company objectives by maintaining authorized distribution and the selling and placement of new SKU's. Professionalism at all levels.
• Maintain schematic standards and integrity through consistent communication with Retail Supervisor and assigned Client personnel.
• Place shelf tags/signs, coupons and build/assemble displays and shippers as the opportunities arise.
• The office is home-based and requires a highly self-motivated, self-starter mentality. (Stellar organizational skills are paramount).
• The CDM is responsible for all aspects of Client sales.
• In some cases, the CDM is responsible for selling to sub-banners within wholesalers.

Qualifications

• Minimum of High School diploma - 4yr college degree preferred.
• The CDM must be able to make on the spot decisions.
• Grocery experience is essential and required.
• Grocery CPG sales experience is preferred.
• Previous merchandising experience is also a plus.
• Strong analytical skills are essential.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to change course dependent upon changes in projects or business environment and able to multi-task with accuracy with frequent interruptions and competing deadlines.
• Must have the ability to communicate with Store Management, Store Directors as well as small group headquarter leadership.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Working knowledge of syndicated data helpful.
• PC skills-This includes an understanding of spreadsheets (Excel), word processing (MS Word).
• Presentation software (PowerPoint) helpful, but not required.
• One to three year's work experience in applicable field, (i.e. sales and marketing agency, Customer, Client).
• Proven track record in sales helpful.

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Field / Reps Requirements

• The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Work is performed in a retail in-store environment involving the following activities:
  • Engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds.
  • Stand for long periods of time and may be required to work in extremely cold conditions (i.e. refrigerated and freezer sections).
  • Also required to travel and drive.
• Reliable transportation is required (position includes a lucrative car allowance and mileage reimbursement).

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

• Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job

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.

Position Summary

The Customer Development Manager (CDM) is responsible for developing and growing sales volume in assigned territory, markets and regions through effective relationships with store operations personnel at the region and market level. Developing relationships with these higher level decision makers should have a positive impact on all assigned stores within a given region or market.

The CDM works with Retail Supervisors to raise the level of effectiveness across the entire area and region. This may include such opportunities as: planning, working retail with Retail Sales Merchandisers (RSMs), training and developing skills of RSM's.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Achieving Results

• Meeting or exceeding POS to plan goals for assigned territory and markets
• Delivering a positive gap versus Non-DRT
• Growing POS by selling incremental display locations, selling the execution of plan-o-gramed locations, executing initiatives as well as maintaining in stock conditions.

Consultative Selling

• Developing and leveraging relationships with key influence and decision makers in assigned stores, markets, and regions
• Delivering consistent market & region level contact
• Effectively gaining front end and main aisle presence. This is accomplished in conjunction and alignment with store or market personnel so that the primary merchandising and stocking duties are done by store personnel. This collaborative relationship is developed on a mutual interest and business relationship

Developing Others

• Provides sales training and skill development of RSM's in assigned geographies
• Utilizes preferred coaching style - coaching vs. telling, role playing, open ended questions
• Provides constructive feedback and development opportunities to RSM via coaching and CDM training recap forms
• Communicates feedback to Retail Supervisors (RS) concerning trainee's strengths and opportunities
• Mentors assigned RSMD candidates

Leadership

• Participates and may lead meetings for their area or other RS area meetings
• Consults with assigned RKCM/Communications Mgr about development of sales materials and other account information
• Provides field perspective and feedback on SIF questions for their assigned accounts

Organizing and Planning

• Follows sales call standards and effectively orchestrates a call coverage plan that meets the business needs of the client and retail customer.
• Effectively manages RSM training
• Other related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

• Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job
• Travel up to 40%

Minimum Qualifications

Education Level: (Required): High School Diploma or GED orequivalent experience

(Preferred): Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

• 1-3 years of experience in Retail Sales Merchandiser (RSM)

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Conflict management skills
• Decision making skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Ability to work effectively with management
• Ability to ensure a high level of service and quality is maintained
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browsers

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Field / Reps Requirements

Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed in a retail in-store environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities: engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift and/or push up to 74 pounds, stand on feet for long periods of time, use products or cook food as appropriate for the demonstration, and may be required to work in extremely cold conditions (i.e. refrigerated and freezer sections). Also required to travel and drive. The use of proper safety practices when handling the products and/or cooking is essential.

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one's supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Important Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.