Associate Customer Business Manager - Target Foods

Unilever; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 89,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings

Life insurance

Parental leave

Sick leave

Paid vacation

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

The Associate Customer Business Manager (ACBM) at Unilever Minneapolis leads the Target Foods customer strategy, driving sustainable growth through JBP, flawless execution, and cross-functional collaboration.

You will partner with buying, merchandising, planning and category teams to translate shopper insights into actionable plans, manage NSV, volume, and trade spend, and influence decisions with rigorous analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is a plus
• 3–5+ years in Customer Development, Sales, Category Management, Customer Strategy, Business Development, or related commercial functions
• Strong analytical and financial acumen
• Experience managing customer plans, promotional programs, and forecasting processes
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual and multi-year customer growth strategies for Target Foods
• Lead the Joint Business Planning (JBP) process with Target
• Partner with customer buying, merchandising, planning, and category teams to align against shared growth objectives
• Translate category, shopper, and consumer insights into actionable customer strategies
• Drive strategic assortment, distribution, merchandising, pricing, and promotional initiatives
• Act as a trusted business partner, leveraging insights and data to influence decisions
• Resolve customer issues proactively and ensure a high standard of customer service and execution
• Own delivery of customer financial targets including NSV, Volume, Trade Investment, Customer Profitability, Market Share

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Circana

NielsenIQ

Job description

Background and Purpose of the Job

The Associate Customer Business Manager (ACBM) is responsible for developing and executing the customer business strategy for the Target Foods business. This externally facing role serves as a critical leader of the customer relationship and is accountable for delivering sustainable, profitable growth through best-in-class customer partnerships, Joint Business Planning, flawless execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The ACBM will lead development and execution of customer plans across key Foods categories, driving achievement of net sales, market share while spending within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual and multi-year customer growth strategies for Target Foods.
• Lead the Joint Business Planning (JBP) process with Target, identifying opportunities that create value for both Target and Unilever.
• Partner with customer buying, merchandising, planning, and category teams to align against shared growth objectives.
• Translate category, shopper, and consumer insights into actionable customer strategies.
• Drive strategic assortment, distribution, merchandising, pricing, and promotional initiatives.
• Act as a trusted business partner, leveraging insights and data to influence decisions.
• Resolve customer issues proactively and ensure a high standard of customer service and execution.
• Business & Financial Leadership
• Own delivery of customer financial targets including:
• Net Sales Value (NSV)
• Volume
• Trade Investment
• Customer Profitability
• Market Share
• Manage customer investment within budget and optimize return on trade spend.
• Develop short- and long-term forecasts and identify risks and opportunities to plan.
• Lead business reviews and performance analysis to ensure delivery of annual business plans.
• Innovation & Category Growth
• Lead customer sell-in and execution of innovation launches and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with Category Management and Marketing teams to unlock category growth opportunities.
• Utilize shopper, category, and market insights to influence customer decisions.
• Drive excellence in merchandising, distribution, availability, and in-store execution.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree is a plus
• 3-5+ years of experience in Customer Development, Sales, Category Management, Customer Strategy, Business Development, or related commercial functions.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Experience managing customer plans, promotional programs, and forecasting processes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred

• Experience supporting Target or other national retail customers.
• Experience utilizing Circana, NielsenIQ, customer POS, shopper, and category analytics.
• Experience with Joint Business Planning and annual customer planning processes.
• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) experience preferred.

Pay:

The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus:

This position is bonus eligible.

Benefits:

• health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage)
• retirement savings benefits
• life insurance and disability benefits
• parental leave
• sick leave
• paid vacation and holidays
• access to numerous voluntary benefits
• Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee. Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check. If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

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