Strategic Business Manager - Sales & Partnerships

Acosta, Inc.; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta is looking for a Business Manager to drive sales and market share for assigned principals in a defined marketing area. You will manage customer business, build profitability for manufacturers and Acosta, and coordinate with key stakeholders to meet sales goals.

The role emphasizes strategic communication with Retail Sales Managers, leadership reporting, relationship building, and market activities. Travel is required; strong analytical and presentation skills with proficiency in sales

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• Proven track-record in sales; preferably with a food broker or national company.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, presentation, negotiation, and sales skills.
• Ability to analyze sales and marketing information needed to make effective sales presentations.
• Proficient in a variety of software packages used to support the sales function.
• Willing to travel (minimal local travel, less than 5%)

Responsibilities

• Achieve Sales Goals: Deliver principals’ volume, share, and sales fundamental goals at the lowest possible cost while maximizing company revenue through brokerage, commissions, bonuses, and contest earnings.
• Strategic Communication: Communicate principals’ priorities to Retail Sales Managers, Sales Technology Managers (IT), Marketing Managers, Business Managers, and the retail selling organization to ensure in-store presence and business objectives are met.
• Leadership and Reporting: Report directly to the General Manager or Team Leader, managing and participating in the development, design, and presentation of Acosta introduction to new principals.
• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships with principals and customers, proactively communicating with key principals to foster collaboration and success.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate ongoing communication between General Managers and key principals and collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on major retail initiatives such as new product introductions, selling drives, and contests.
• Market Insight: Coordinate principals’ market visits and key account calls, utilizing your knowledge of customer, market, and principal to successfully sell principals’ specific programs and initiatives.
• Strategic Utilization: Leverage insights from Senior Vice President, General Manager, Team Leaders, and Senior Business Managers to develop conceptual sales presentations that deliver principals’ objectives.
• Feedback and Improvement: Provide feedback on the effectiveness of principals’ strategies, selling programs, and initiatives to both the principal and the General Manager, and offer suggestions on how to build organizational capacity and improve our business.
• Information Management: Maintain current account distribution information, review market pricing reports for accuracy and competitive activity, and collect and report all competitive activity.
• Skill Development: Proactively manage your personal skill development plan and share customer/manufacturer information with team members to help build organizational capacity.
• Compliance and Financial Management: Ensure all client procedures and policies are followed, achieve client proprietary system expertise to manage promotional plans and fund balances, and monitor and take corrective action as necessary in financial management, such as deductions.
• Additional Duties: Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall success of the business.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Sales skills

Travel ability

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Sales software

Job description

Acosta is looking for a Business Manager to drive sales and market share for assigned principals in a defined marketing area. You will manage customer business, build profitability for manufacturers and Acosta, and coordinate with key stakeholders to meet sales goals.

The role emphasizes strategic communication with Retail Sales Managers, leadership reporting, relationship building, and market activities. Travel is required; strong analytical and presentation skills with proficiency in sales