Customer Account Manager- Kroger

The Marzetti Company; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Marzetti Company in Columbus, OH is seeking a Customer Account Manager to drive growth with Kroger and Harris Teeter. You will manage assigned customer categories, build strong relationships, and align brand and customer strategies while following company policies.

Working with the Director of Retail Sales, you will analyze performance, recommend strategies, support planning, forecasting, and day-to-day account execution to deliver sustainable volume and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business or related field.
• 2–5 years of CPG HQ or Field Sales experience with reporting, planning, and sales execution.
• Strong sales and customer relationship skills.
• Proficient in MS Office; familiarity with trade tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with Kroger and Harris Teeter contacts to meet business objectives.
• Analyze customer and category performance to identify opportunities, risks, and recommended actions.
• Manage trade plan execution and updates in trade management and customer systems.
• Support promotional planning and evaluate performance.
• Coordinate with broker partners to support Kroger and Harris Teeter plans.
• Prepare for and participate in customer meetings and business reviews.

Skills

Customer relationship management

Analytical skills

Sales experience

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, or related field

Tools

84.51°/Stratum

Market 6

Syndicated data

Trade Management Systems

MS Office

Job description

Overview

The Customer Account Manager (CAM) is responsible for supporting the growth and execution of the Kroger business, with additional responsibility for Harris Teeter. The CAM manages assigned categories and customer responsibilities, builds relationships with key customer contacts, and serves as a liaison between the Marzetti Sales team and the customer. This role is responsible for delivering sales objectives by aligning brand and customer strategies while adhering to company policies and procedures.

Working closely with the Director of Retail Sales, the CAM will analyze business performance and recommend and execute strategies and tactics that drive long-term volume and profitable growth. The CAM will support customer planning, trade and merchandising activities, forecasting, business reporting, and day-to-day account execution.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with key Kroger and Harris Teeter contacts to achieve business objectives across distribution, shelving, merchandising, and promotions.

• Analyze customer and category performance to identify opportunities, risks, and recommended actions.

• Manage trade plan execution and updates within trade management and customer systems.

• Support promotional planning and evaluate performance to maximize trade effectiveness.

• Facilitate deduction management, including research, reconciliation, and resolution, with broker and internal Marzetti contacts.

• Manage customer contracts and customer system requirements, including master data, new item setup, pricing, and related account information.

• Partner with the Director of Retail Sales on customer strategy, trade, revenue, forecasts, and business performance.

• Work with customers and internal teams to support trade planning, new item execution, and supply chain forecasting.

• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Category Management, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, and other teams to support customer objectives.

• Prepare for and participate in customer meetings, presentations, and business reviews.

• Coordinate with broker partners to support execution of Kroger and Harris Teeter business plans.

#TMZ23

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, or related field, or equivalent experience.

• 2–5 years of CPG HQ or Field Sales experience supporting key customers, including reporting, planning, selling, and sales execution. Direct Kroger experience preferred.

• Strong sales and customer relationship skills with an understanding of business processes and/or Category Management.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate customer and category data into actionable recommendations.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate cross-functionally and across levels of the organization.

• Strong technical skills, including MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) and experience with 84.51°/Stratum, Market 6, syndicated data, Trade Management Systems, and related customer tools preferred.

Competencies

• Decision Quality

• Ensures Accountability

• Drives Results

• Communicates Effectively

• Instills Trust

• Customer-Focus

• Plans & Aligns

Working Conditions/Environment

Works in a normal office environment where the employee is regularly required to speak, see, hear, sit, stand, talk, type, walk and bend while moving about the facility. The noise level in the office is quiet. Occasional travel to plants or meetings is required.