NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – RETAIL (Bakery / Deli)

Bridor North America; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Training and development

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Bridor USA seeks a National Account Manager – Retail to drive growth across the Midwest. You will leverage established relationships with retail buyers, category managers, and distributors to expand Bridor’s presence in In-Store Bakery, Deli, and Fresh perimeter departments.

The role requires a hunter mentality, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage a large territory with extensive travel to customer headquarters, brokers, and distributors.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of successful B2B sales experience selling directly to retail grocery chains.
• Established relationships with Midwest retail buyers, category managers, brokers, and distributors.
• Experience selling products into In-Store Bakery and/or In-Store Deli departments.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prospect, and secure new retail grocery accounts and product opportunities throughout the Midwest.
• Grow existing accounts by expanding distribution, increasing product assortments, introducing new products, and improving product placement.
• Build strong relationships with retail buyers, category managers, merchandising teams, brokers, and distributor partners.
• Develop sales forecasts, maintain a strong opportunity pipeline, track performance, and keep CRM activity and account plans current.
• Partner with Marketing, Research and Development, Production, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Operations, and Logistics to support customer opportunities and product launches.
• Represent Bridor at customer meetings, distributor events, trade shows, and other industry events.
• Take ownership of new business development, distribution expansion, account growth, and overall territory performance.

Skills

B2B sales

Retail grocery knowledge

Relationship-building

Territory management

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field

Job description

National Account Manager – Retail | Midwest USA

Territory: Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin

Travel: Extensive Travel Throughout the Territory

Bridor is a North American leader in the development and manufacturing of premium European-style breads, pastries, croissants, and viennoiserie. As part Groupe Le Duff, Bridor combines traditional French baking expertise with modern manufacturing technology to deliver innovative, high-quality bakery products to retail, foodservice, and hospitality customers throughout North America.

As our business continues to grow, we offer employees the opportunity to contribute directly to our products, customer relationships, market expansion, and long-term success.

To learn more about Bridor, our products, and our company, visit america.bridor.com.

Position Summary

This position requires an established network of relationships with retail instore bakery buyers, category managers, brokers, and distributors, particularly those connected to leading grocery and retail food chains across the Midwest. The National Account Manager will use these relationships to introduce Bridor's premium bakery products, secure new listings, expand distribution, grow strategic accounts, and strengthen our presence within In-Store Bakery, Deli, and Fresh perimeter departments.

This is a high-impact sales position for a true hunter and relationship builder who is competitive, naturally curious, organized, collaborative, and motivated to win. The ideal candidate understands the Midwest grocery landscape and can turn industry knowledge and strong customer relationships into sustainable, profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, prospect, and secure new retail grocery accounts and product opportunities throughout the Midwest


• Use established relationships to reach decision-makers within grocery retail headquarters, In-Store Bakery and Deli departments, brokers, and distributors


• Grow existing accounts by expanding distribution, increasing product assortments, introducing new products, and improving product placement


• Build strong relationships with retail buyers, category managers, merchandising teams, brokers, and distributor partners


• Develop a thorough understanding of each customer's business, category priorities, challenges, competitors, and growth opportunities


• Prepare and deliver line reviews, category reviews, new-item presentations, business reviews, and sales proposals


• Develop and strengthen relationships with UNFI, AWG, KeHE, and other key Midwest distribution partners


• Present ideas and solutions that help customers grow their Bakery and Deli categories while positioning Bridor as a strategic business partner


• Develop sales forecasts, maintain a strong opportunity pipeline, track performance, and keep CRM activity and account plans current


• Partner with Marketing, Research and Development, Production, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Operations, and Logistics to support customer opportunities and product launches


• Represent Bridor at customer meetings, distributor events, trade shows, and other industry events


• Take ownership of new business development, distribution expansion, account growth, and overall territory performance

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of successful B2B sales experience selling directly to retail grocery chains


• A genuine passion for bakery products and the premium bakery industry


• Experience selling products into In-Store Bakery and/or In-Store Deli departments


• Established relationships with Midwest retail buyers, category managers, brokers, and distributors


• Strong contacts within leading grocery and retail food chains throughout the Midwest


• Experience working with both UNFI and AWG


• Strong understanding of the grocery retail sales process, including buyer presentations, category reviews, new-item introductions, and securing product listings


• Demonstrated success developing new business, opening new accounts, and growing existing retail customers


• Ability to manage a large geographic territory and an active sales pipeline


• Ability to travel extensively throughout the Midwest


• Residence near a major airport within or convenient to the assigned territory


• Availability to begin employment in early January 2027

Preferred Experience

• Bakery, frozen bakery, frozen food, Deli, Fresh perimeter, or related food and consumer packaged goods experience


• Experience selling to leading Midwest grocery retailers such as Aldi, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Schnucks, SpartanNash, Fresh Thyme, Fareway, Coborn's, Dierbergs, Woodman's, Lunds & Byerlys, or similar regional chains


• Experience working with KeHE and other major grocery distributors


• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field

What Will Make You Successful

• Enthusiasm for premium bakery products and the ability to communicate that passion to customers


• Established credibility with retail buyers, brokers, distributors, and category managers


• Competitive mindset and motivation to win new accounts, product listings, and expanded distribution


• Curiosity about customers, their categories, competitors, and changing market conditions


• Ability to ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and uncover new opportunities


• Strong sense of urgency, ownership, and personal accountability


• Excellent organization, pipeline management, and follow-through


• Ability to work independently while knowing when to engage internal resources


• Persistence and resilience throughout long sales cycles


• Strong presentation, communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills


• Ability to identify opportunities, develop strategies, and convert relationships into profitable growth

Travel Requirements

• Extensive travel throughout the Midwest territory


• Regular travel to customer headquarters, distributor locations, retail stores, trade shows, and industry events


• Occasional travel outside the territory for company meetings, training, or other business needs

Benefits at Bridor USA

Bridor USA offers a comprehensive benefits package beginning on the first day of employment, which includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• 401(k) retirement plan with company match


• Paid time off


• Paid holidays


• Company-paid life insurance


• Short-term and long-term disability coverage


• Training and professional development


• Opportunities for career growth and advancement