Business Manager

Acosta Group; Cincinnati (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Group in Cincinnati is seeking a Business Manager to drive sales objectives for the Kroger Team. You will manage the assigned customer business, boost brand performance, and profitably grow our principals’ presence in a defined market.

This is an in-market role; you will attend meetings in the Cincinnati Office and collaborate with General Managers, Sales Managers, and cross-functional teams to deliver programs, reports, and growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Strong sales record, preferably with a food broker or national company.
• Experience with Kroger is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver principals’ volume, share, and sales goals at low cost while maximizing revenue.
• Communicate principals’ priorities to Retail Sales Managers, IT, Marketing Managers, Business Managers, and retail teams.
• Report to General Manager or Team Leader and contribute to introducing new principals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with principals and customers to foster collaboration.
• Coordinate communication between General Managers and principals and support major retail initiatives.
• Coordinate market visits and account calls to sell principals’ programs and initiatives.

Skills

Sales

Customer relationships

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

As a Business Manager on our Kroger Team, you will play a pivotal role in driving our company's success by achieving key business objectives and fostering strong relationships with our customers. Responsible for the management of the assigned customer business in a defined marketing area. Primary responsibility includes increasing sales and market share of the brands represented, while earning a profit for our manufacturers and Acosta. This is an In Market role. This candidate will be expected to attend meetings in the Cincinnati Office.

• Achieve Sales Goals: Deliver principals’ volume, share, and sales fundamental goals (merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving) at the lowest possible cost while maximizing company revenue through brokerage, commissions, bonuses, and contest earnings.
• Strategic Communication: Communicate principals’ priorities to Retail Sales Managers, Sales Technology Managers (IT), Marketing Managers, Business Managers, and the retail selling organization to ensure in-store presence and business objectives are met.
• Leadership and Reporting: Report directly to the General Manager or Team Leader, managing and participating in the development, design, and presentation of Acosta introduction to new principals.
• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships with principals and customers, proactively communicating with key principals to foster collaboration and success.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate ongoing communication between General Managers and key principals and collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on major retail initiatives such as new product introductions, selling drives, and contests.
• Market Insight: Coordinate principals’ market visits and key account calls, utilizing your knowledge of customer, market, and principal to successfully sell principals’ specific programs and initiatives.
• Strategic Utilization: Leverage insights from Senior Vice President, General Manager, Team Leaders, and Senior Business Managers to develop conceptual sales presentations that deliver principals’ objectives.
• Feedback and Improvement: Provide feedback on the effectiveness of principals’ strategies, selling programs, and initiatives to both the principal and the General Manager, and offer suggestions on how to build organizational capacity and improve our business.
• Information Management: Maintain current account distribution information, review market pricing reports for accuracy and competitive activity, and collect and report all competitive activity.
• Skill Development: Proactively manage your personal skill development plan and share customer/manufacturer information with team members to help build organizational capacity.
• Compliance and Financial Management: Ensure all client procedures and policies are followed, achieve client proprietary system expertise to manage promotional plans and fund balances, and monitor and take corrective action as necessary in financial management, such as deductions.
• Additional Duties: Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall success of the business.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• A proven track‑record in sales; preferably with a food broker or national company.
• Kroger experience a plus
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, presentation, negotiation, and sales skills.
• Ability to analyze sales and marketing information needed to make effective sales presentations.
• Proficient in a variety of software packages (Microsoft Office - Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) used to support the sales function.
• Willing to travel (mainly local, up to 20%)

Physical Requirements

• Sit for extended periods (typically 6+ hours per day).
• Use a computer, including keyboard and mouse, for prolonged periods.
• Lift and carry light items (e.g., files, office supplies, laptops, typically 20+ pounds).
• Reach, bend, or stoop occasionally to access files or office materials.
• Maintain focus and attention for long periods of desk‑based work.
• Follow clear directions.
• Perform repetitive motions (e.g., typing, clicking) consistently throughout the day.
  

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