Business Manager

Acosta; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta is a leading sales and marketing agency that partners with manufacturers to grow brands across the US. The Business Manager role focuses on driving sales, expanding market share, and maintaining strong relationships with principals and customers in a defined marketing area.

Candidates should have a proven sales track record, be able to communicate priorities across multiple teams, and travel to key accounts as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Proven track record in sales, preferably food broker or national company.
• Experience with KeHe, UNFI, and Natural Organic Brands preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyze sales and marketing information for effective presentations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Willing to travel.

Responsibilities

• Achieve sales goals by increasing volume, share, and revenue.
• Communicate principals' priorities to retail teams.
• Lead and report to General Manager and assist in introductions to new principals.
• Develop relationships with principals and customers.
• Coordinate communications between General Managers and principals on initiatives.
• Utilize market insights to sell programs.
• Provide feedback on strategies and sell programs.
• Maintain account distribution and review pricing reports.
• Manage personal skill development and share information.
• Ensure compliance and manage fund balances.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Sales skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Analytical skills

Travel

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

As a Business Manager, 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.

Experience with UNFI and/or KeHe is a plus. Must live in Rocky Mountain or Pacific Time Zones.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• A proven track‑record in sales; preferably with a food broker or national company.
• Prior experience working with Kehe, UNFI, and Natural Organic Brands preferred
• 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) used to support the sales function.
• Willing to travel.

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.

About Us

Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Category: Wholesale

Position Type: Full time

Business Unit: Sales

Salary Range: $########### - $###########

Company: Acosta Employee Holdco LLC

Req ID: 39646