Senior Manager, Customer Development

Aspire Bakeries; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading North American baking company is seeking a Senior Manager, Customer Development, to manage key accounts and drive sales growth. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of B2B sales management experience, preferably in the food industry. Responsibilities include collaborating with teams to implement projects, ensuring customer satisfaction, and achieving revenue targets. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of sales or sales management experience in a B2B environment.
• Food industry experience is strongly preferred.
• Flexible personality capable of shifting between strategic and tactical work.

Responsibilities

• Manage key accounts with strategic partners to achieve volume goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new projects.
• Lead and participate in presentations and negotiations.

Skills

Sales and sales management

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Relationship management

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins, and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery, Otis Spunkmeyer, and Oakrun Farm Bakery. With 13 bakeries across North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity, and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality, and Collaboration.

The Senior Manager, Customer Development, will support key strategic partners and business. This role will support business leaders responsible for these accounts, helping us meet key revenue targets and execution strategies to maintain and grow our business.

This role encompasses end-to-end supply chain responsibilities, including planning, reporting, quota setting and management, sales process optimization, sales job design, sales training, and program implementation. The Senior Manager will oversee the productivity and effectiveness of the sales organization, reporting to the Senior Director, Customer Development, and working closely with internal and external stakeholders to align objectives and priorities.

Responsibilities:

1. Manage key accounts with strategic partners to achieve volume goals through new placements, positioning, merchandising, and promotions.
2. Serve as an expert on assigned customers, understanding their corporate strategies and aligning Aspire’s approach accordingly.
3. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new projects and coordinate with internal departments (Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, Brand Management) to develop and execute plans.
4. Communicate with internal customer development teams to ensure alignment with Aspire’s strategic direction.
5. Manage and drive the strategic account from end to end, ensuring annual targets are met or exceeded.
6. Work with internal stakeholders to meet customer expectations regarding products.
7. Respond promptly to quality or food safety issues, providing solutions and next steps.
8. Lead and participate in presentations, negotiations, sales meetings, and trade shows with key external and internal stakeholders.
9. Maintain high customer satisfaction, develop lasting relationships with existing customers, and establish new ones.
10. Provide strategic leadership in driving distribution growth for current products and new launches.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 5+ years of sales or sales management experience in a B2B environment.
• Food industry experience is strongly preferred.
• Strategic, resourceful, and creative sales leader who thrives in a fast-paced team environment.
• Experience with large Canadian brands and/or QSR businesses.
• Flexible personality capable of shifting between strategic and tactical work.
• Strong computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

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