Customer Development Executive - Royal Canin (14 month contract)

Royal Canin; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Canin is seeking a Customer Development Executive in New Zealand to drive sales growth and brand advocacy across veterinary clinics, pet retailers, and agricultural partners. You will lead education sessions, manage accounts, and plan territory activity to deliver value and better health outcomes for pets.

The role emphasizes relationship building, data-driven territory management, and travel with a focus on nutrition education and science-backed recommendations to partners.

Qualifications

• Experience in field sales, territory management, or customer-facing roles with a track record of meeting commercial objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a natural ability to build long-term trust with diverse customer groups.
• Highly capable of presenting, educating, and influencing stakeholders, particularly when explaining technical or nutritional concepts.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to analyze sales data to identify business opportunities and risks.
• Highly organized with excellent planning capabilities to manage travel, prioritize accounts, and optimize territory coverage. Prior background in veterinary, animal health, pet care, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or FMCG sectors is preferred
• Tertiary qualifications in Animal Science, Veterinary Nursing, Science, Business, or Nutrition are highly regarded, alongside a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with veterinary clinics, pet specialty retailers, and agricultural partners to establish Royal Canin as their preferred nutritional brand.
• Achieve territory sales, distribution, and new product introduction (NPD) objectives by executing tailored customer growth plans and account strategies.
• Lead engaging education sessions, in-clinic training, and presentations to help partners understand the vital role of nutrition in disease management and preventative care.
• Analyze territory sales data and performance metrics to identify high-potential business opportunities and proactively manage risks.
• Efficiently plan daily travel, manage budgets, and prioritize customer touchpoints based on strategic segmentation to maximize coverage.
• Keep highly accurate, up-to-date customer records and activity reports within CRM systems to track engagement and support territory continuity.
• Act as a proud ambassador for Royal Canin’s purpose (A Better World for Pets), sharing market insights and collaborating with cross-functional scientific and sales teams.

Skills

Field sales

Territory management

Customer facing

Relationship building

Presentation skills

Travel willing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science / related

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Job Description

Customer Development Executive – Royal Canin

Mars is a family-owned business that has been making products for people and their pets for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, ECLIPSE®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, DOLMIO®, BEN’S ORIGINAL ® MASTERFOODS ® and ROYAL CANIN® ORIJEN® ACANA® we are dedicated to making a positive impact on people and the planet.

Join us in building a sustainable future where people, communities, and the planet can truly thrive.

About the role:

As a Customer Development Executive, you will drive sales growth, brand advocacy, and recommendations within your territory. By building trusted relationships with veterinary professionals, pet specialty retailers, and agricultural partners, you will champion better health outcomes for pets through science-backed nutrition. This dynamic role merges commercial excellence, relationship management, education, and strategic territory planning to deliver exceptional value to our customers and bring the Royal Canin purpose to life.

Please note this is a 14 month contract covering parental leave

What You’ll Do

• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with veterinary clinics, pet specialty retailers, and agricultural partners to establish Royal Canin as their preferred nutritional brand.
• Achieve territory sales, distribution, and new product introduction (NPD) objectives by executing tailored customer growth plans and account strategies.
• Lead engaging education sessions, in-clinic training, and presentations to help partners understand the vital role of nutrition in disease management and preventative care.
• Analyze territory sales data and performance metrics to identify high-potential business opportunities and proactively manage risks.
• Efficiently plan daily travel, manage budgets, and prioritize customer touchpoints based on strategic segmentation to maximize coverage.
• Keep highly accurate, up-to-date customer records and activity reports within CRM systems to track engagement and support territory continuity.
• Act as a proud ambassador for Royal Canin’s purpose (A Better World for Pets), sharing market insights and collaborating with cross-functional scientific and sales teams.

Your Unique Ingredients

• Experienced in field sales, territory management, or customer-facing roles with a track record of meeting commercial objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a natural ability to build long-term trust with diverse customer groups.
• Highly capable of presenting, educating, and influencing stakeholders, particularly when explaining technical or nutritional concepts.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to analyze sales data to identify business opportunities and risks.
• Highly organized with excellent planning capabilities to manage travel, prioritize accounts, and optimize territory coverage. Prior background in veterinary, animal health, pet care, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or FMCG sectors is preferred
• Tertiary qualifications in Animal Science, Veterinary Nursing, Science, Business, or Nutrition are highly regarded, alongside a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel.

Why You’ll Love Working For Us

• Purpose: Help craft beloved brands with a legacy of over 100 years of local manufacturing making products that people and pets will love all while helping to build a more sustainable future.
• People: A culture that values your contributions, fosters leadership, and recognises the impact you make. Your work truly matters here.
• Development: Shape your career with personalised development and real opportunities to grow from day one.
• Enjoy a team and business environment that is invested in helping you manage and grow your energy for work and life.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request.

The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request. We know everyone’s needs are different, and we’re committed to making our application process accessible and supportive for all candidates. If you require any adjustments along the way, simply let us know in your application form. We’ll work with you to understand what will help you feel comfortable and supported.