Customer Development Manager - Costco (Seattle Are...

Nestlé S.A.; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé Health Science is seeking a Customer Development Manager for the Costco business in the Seattle area. This role focuses on leading sales activities, building strong relationships with Costco buyers and internal teams, and driving distribution, promotions, and category growth.

Remote position with preference for Washington State/Seattle area. You will manage go-to-market execution, budget planning, and trade investments while leveraging syndicated data to maximize sales and ROI across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in sales or customer development, preferred.
• Experience with grocery, drug and/or mass retail channels is required.
• Understanding of Costco and the Club channel is required.
• Experience using syndicated data to drive pricing and promotions.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic relationships with Costco and internal teams for inline and .com success.
• Drive retailer specific wins such as displays, distribution gains, and ACV enhancement.
• Build and manage relationships with Costco Buyers and regional teams.
• Translate go-to-market strategy into internal action and plans.
• Lead budget planning, trade investments, and promotional execution.
• Manage daily business activities including product setup, logistics, and inventory.

Skills

Sales leadership

Account management

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Forecasting

Negotiation

Problem solving

Time management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Osprey system

Job description

Customer Development Manager - Costco (Seattle Area)

At Nestlé Health Science, we believe that nutrition, science, and wellness must merge, not collide. Here, we embrace the intrinsic connections of these three pillars, harnessing their collective strength to empower healthier lives. Our broad product portfolio includes renowned brands like Garden of Life®, Nature's Bounty®, Vital Proteins®, Orgain®, Nuun®, BOOST®, Carnation Breakfast Essentials®, Peptamen®, Compleat Organic Blends®, and more. We also have extensive pharmaceutical expertise, offering innovative medicines that aim to prevent, manage, and treat gastrointestinal and metabolic-related diseases.

At Nestlé Health Science, we bring our best for better lives. Our people are challenged to bring fresh, diverse views and make bold moves to empower healthier lives through nutrition. We know brilliant ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. Here we embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and collaborate with teams that champion focused and forward thinking. We are committed to fostering professional growth and celebrating the achievements of our people along the way. We offer dynamic career paths, robust development, opportunities to learn from talented colleagues around the globe, and benefits that support physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing.

Join us to innovate for impact and reimagine the future of health and nutrition for patients and consumers.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Customer Development Manager is responsible for the functional management, leadership and execution of all sales related activities for the Costco business. The individual will support the team with Nestle’s Co. systems (Osprey) and with corresponding customers systems. This position is remote and will be supporting Costco items but with Washington State/Seattle area preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop strategic and winning relationships throughout Internal organization and Costco for both inline and .com success.
• Particular focus will be retailer specific wins (i.e., displays, distribution gains, ACV enhancement, etc.).
• Establish strong working relationships with all internal teams including Customer Strategy, Finance, Customer Service, shopper and digital teams.
• Detailed understanding of the Customers go-to-market model including Category Management strategy, E – commerce strategy and translate to the interna organization.
• Deliver target Budget plan and new product distribution goals.
• Execute our brand and category growth strategy that aligns with the customer.
• Identify new opportunities for growth while mapping out plans and strategy for existing distribution; develop and implement strategic written sales plans in accordance with corporate goals.
• Build and manage relationships with Costco Buyers, Assistant Buyers, and regional buying teams to drive assortment decisions and long-term growth.
• Foster and grow existing and new relationships within account, gaining a deep understanding of current and potential future needs of our customers.
• Educate our business partners on our products, retail goals, and measurement of success.
• Build customer presentations that demonstrate innovation, shelf positioning, promotions, communicate pricing, etc.
• Manage daily business in partnership with customers, including: UPC product/item setup, maintenance, logistics and inventory management.
• Sell-in new products and all promotions.
• Responsible for working with agencies to input Trade Investment Management (Osprey): system input, trade fund management, direct sales forecasting and projection activities for the company.
• Strong Trade management/budget processing and an efficiency that focus on a strong ROI.
• Partner cross-functionally to support Costco depot distribution model, including forecasting, inventory flow, and replenishment planning.
• Monthly reporting, sales analytics and insights; understand go-to-market strategy and how to maximize sales efficiency.
• Continuously evaluate SKU productivity and recommend pack, pricing, or promotional adjustments to improve velocity.
• Perform other duties as required.
• P&L management within respective account coverage.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience preferred; minimum 2 years Managing Large Customers desired.
• Sales experience in the Grocery, Drug and/or Mass retail channel(s) is required.
• Understanding of Costco and the Club channel required.
• Experience in consumer goods and Vitamins and supplements is highly preferred.
• Prior experience using syndicated data to determine customer needs and establish the most effective pricing and promotional activities that will increase sales and market share for the company and its customers.
• Knowledge regarding Project Management, and experience with setting up and managing projects in a complex, fast-moving environment.
• Knowledge regarding relationship management, experience and mindset to work with partners in building initiatives that deliver on goals.
• Strong cross functional relationships with assigned accounts.

SKILLS:

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and multiple brands/categories.
• High level of organizational skills, good written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Must be able to multi-task and follow-up when responses are needed.
• Deep understanding of the assigned Customer and how to develop demand creation plans.
• The ability to utilize creativity and push beyond the obvious, comfortable going into “unchartered” territory in setting out recommendations and goals.
• Problem solver with a solutions oriented mindset.
• Must be a dynamic leader who can push past obstacles and overcome objections.
• Understand the value of listening to customers, gaining insights and moving objectives forward.
• Must be an articulate communicator who can quickly synthesize data.
• P&L management and strong financial acumen.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.