National Account Manager - Kroger

Lindt; Cincinnati, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt is seeking a National Account Manager to drive sales growth and market share for our confectionery brands at Kroger. The role focuses on achieving budgets, managing trade funds, and leading cross-functional collaboration to optimize in-store execution.

The candidate will build senior customer relationships and deliver joint business planning with Kroger. The position requires strong analytical skills, 5+ years of direct selling experience, and a home-office setup in the Cincinnati area

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 5 years of direct selling experience.
• Kroger experience and/or confectionary experience preferred.
• Strong analytical and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Achieve sales budget and MAPS objectives for assigned accounts.
• Manage trade funds, forecasting targets and item distribution.
• Develop senior-level customer relationships and drive joint business planning.

Skills

Account management

Sales strategy

Kroger experience

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Education

BA/BS Degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

CRM systems

Excel

Forecasting tools

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At Ghirardelli, we honor tradition and drive innovation, aiming to be the top choice for premium chocolate. Our commitment to Making Life A Bite Better inspires both our products and the way we do business. We support personal and professional growth, recognizing that each employee’s contribution directly impacts Ghirardelli’s growth and success. Join our dynamic team and help shape Ghirardelli's future.

Job Summary

A National Account Manager is responsible for achieving the sales budget, new item distribution targets, trade promotion budget, forecasting targets, expense management, and MAPS objectives for assigned accounts. This includes all customer communication, trade funds management, forecasting and accountability for volume, profit and in-store conditions. This position is responsible for managing our everyday confectionary business at Kroger. The expectation will be to drive our business forward showing a passion for our brand and helping “Make Life a Bite Better”. This role exists to deliver sales growth, build market share, and increase the awareness of our brand. This position is responsible for the following essential areas: Manage and achieve sales controllables; Exceed MAPS objectives as outlined in customer game plan; Develop senior level customer relationships that drive joint business planning execution; Being a leader within the company and collaborating cross functionally to create customer driven initiatives that achieve game plan goals; Ability to prepare and present customer facing presentations that drive Ghirardelli’s in-store execution; Demonstrate category management skillset that will drive customer partnerships and execution.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BA/BS Degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of 5 years of direct selling experience
• Kroger experience and/or confectionary experience preferred
• Understanding of data systems
• Strong analytical and computer skills

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

• This position will work out of a home office but must be in the Cincinnati, OH area
• Travel on average of 10-15%
• Spends 60% of time at desk working at computer or phone.
• Spends 25% of time interacting with key customers for purpose of influencing business results.
• Spends 15% of time observing conditions in retail outlets, attending off‑site sales meetings and performing other miscellaneous activities.
• Occasional to Constant Repetitive Fine Manipulation (keyboarding, ten key, writing)
• Rare to Occasional ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Ability to travel to various locations across the country or local travel to meetings

Salary

$118k - $154k

Looking to grow your career in a dynamic, international setting? Join the Lindt & Sprüngli Group! Together, we thrive to achieve our bold ambitions, powered by our purpose and unique culture of community and mutual support – rooted in a proud tradition, yet always evolving to stay ahead and set new standards. Across our diverse local teams, we think globally and act locally – empowering people to grow, take ownership and shape a sustainable future together. We are a responsible “employer of choice” who provides an inspiring people experience. Together, we build trust, drive innovation, and grow – as individuals and as a business. Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 180 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate category. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 41 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 620 of its own stores as well as via a network of around 100 distributors around the globe. With around 15,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion in 2025. Our commitment to contributing to a sustainable tomorrow is a key element driving the company’s actions and ambitions. Since 2008, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program has been our Responsible Sourcing Standard for cocoa.