Customer Manager (Natural Channel)

Acosta; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta is seeking a Customer Manager in Minnesota, responsible for achieving sales goals and managing customer accounts. This role involves strategic planning, client engagement, and cost management. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, along with a minimum of six months in retail or marketing. Proficiency in Microsoft applications and strong organizational skills are essential. Join us to drive business results within the natural and organic foods channel.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six months relevant experience in retail or marketing.
• Experience in presenting and communicating effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience in the natural/organic foods channel is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sales objectives for assigned customers at the lowest cost.
• Develop comprehensive Customer Business Plans.
• Engage with key customer decision-makers to sell business plans.
• Maximize revenue while managing costs effectively.
• Ensure superior in-store presence and relationship management.
• Manage trade marketing funds and process shipments.
• Collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on retail initiatives.
• Utilize technology to achieve Customer Business Plan objectives.
• Provide feedback on improving business operations.

Skills

Retail experience (CPG industry)

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Organization skills

Technical skills in web applications

Education

Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Position Title: Customer Manager

Location: Anywhere in Minneapolis, MN or state of MN.

Job Category: Wholesale

Position Type: Full time

Business Unit: Sales

Salary Range: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00

Company: Acosta Employee Holdco LLC

Req ID: 26060

Responsibilities

• Achieve Sales Goals: Deliver principals’ objectives, including volume and sales fundamentals such as merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving goals at the assigned customers, all at the lowest cost.
• Strategic Planning: Develop a comprehensive Customer Business Plan that aligns with the principals’ business priorities and drives long-term success.
• Client Engagement: Personally call on all decision-makers at the customer to present and sell business plans, programs, and concepts that enhance business results.
• Cost Management: Achieve results at the lowest possible selling cost while maximizing company revenue through brokerage, commissions, bonuses, contest earnings, and more. Oversee all manufacturers’ expenditures at the customer.
• In-Store Presence: Ensure a competitively superior in-store presence in the assigned stores by calling on headquarters, supervisors, and other customer operations personnel for both direct and indirect customers.
• Trade Marketing: Manage manufacturers’ trade marketing funds, process direct shipments via the Sales Support Coordinator, and leverage data to sell concepts to the customer.
• Budget Adherence: Operate within the designated budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Proactive Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with key principals to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Retail Initiatives: Collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on major retail initiatives, including new product introductions, selling drives, and contests.
• Market Knowledge: Utilize your knowledge of the customer, market, and principal to involve marketing, technology, and administrative resources in achieving objectives.
• Timely Information Sharing: Provide timely information on selling priorities to Retail Sales Managers, supervisors, and shared resources in marketing, technology, and administration.
• Team Collaboration: Share information and customer/principal insights with team members to build organizational capacity and drive collective success.
• Technology Utilization: Utilize computer systems and technology to achieve the objectives of the Customer Business Plan and continuously develop and maintain skill levels to support the use of Acosta communication systems.
• Feedback and Improvement: Provide feedback to the Team Leader and/or General Manager on ways to build organizational capacity and improve business operations.
• Special Projects: Complete special projects as requested, contributing to the overall success of the team.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent work experience.
• Experience: A minimum of six months of relevant experience in retail (CPG industry), marketing, space management, and/or resets. Sales administration or finance experience is preferred.
• Technical Skills: Expertise in Microsoft software, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook, along with thorough knowledge of web-based applications. Excellent presentation and communication skills are a must.
• Project Management: Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with strong organizational skills.
• Experience in the natural and/or organic foods channel is a PLUS.

Join our team as a Customer Manager and take charge of managing our principals' business within designated customer accounts. We are looking for experience in the natural/organic foods channel.

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail]. Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

Employer Resources: e-verify.gov – The Acosta Group utilizes E-Verify for validating the ability to work in the United States for all job candidates.