Manager Customer Development - Grocery Channel

This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for a Manager Customer Development - Grocery Channel in the United States.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven sales leader to shape growth strategies across major grocery retail partnerships within a dynamic and fast-growing consumer goods environment. You will lead strategic customer relationships, drive category expansion, and manage high-impact business initiatives focused on profitable growth and market share acceleration. Working cross-functionally with sales, marketing, supply chain, finance, and broker teams, you will play a key role in optimizing execution and strengthening retail presence. The position combines strategic planning, customer leadership, and operational excellence in a highly entrepreneurial setting. Ideal for someone with a strong ownership mindset and passion for retail growth, this role provides significant visibility, influence, and long-term career development opportunities. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment where innovation, collaboration, and results-driven execution are highly valued.

• Develop and execute strategic business plans with regional grocery retailers and distribution partners to drive category growth and strengthen customer partnerships.
• Lead customer-specific sales strategies focused on increasing distribution, improving shelf presence, accelerating innovation launches, and maximizing promotional effectiveness.
• Own full P&L accountability for assigned accounts, including revenue growth, profitability, market share, trade ROI, and distribution targets.
• Build and maintain strong senior-level customer relationships through data-driven insights, collaborative planning, and strategic partnership development.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including category management, marketing, supply chain, finance, customer service, and broker partners to ensure operational excellence.
• Negotiate annual business plans, promotional programs, merchandising initiatives, assortment expansions, and pricing strategies to deliver profitable growth.
• Manage broker partner performance by establishing clear expectations, accountability measures, and execution-focused operating rhythms.
• Analyze retailer data, category trends, syndicated insights, and shopper analytics to create compelling selling stories and actionable growth opportunities.
• Lead business reviews, promotional planning, innovation sell-ins, forecasting alignment, and trade investment optimization initiatives.
• Represent the organization professionally at customer meetings, trade events, conferences, and industry engagements.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in customer development, national accounts, sales strategy, or related commercial roles within the CPG industry.
• Proven success managing grocery retail accounts, distributors, or large-format retail partnerships in a fast-paced growth environment.
• Strong understanding of retailer economics, category management principles, trade investment management, and promotional strategy execution.
• Experience utilizing NielsenIQ, IRI, retailer POS systems, syndicated data, and trade promotion management tools to support business decisions and customer engagement.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, trade investments, and profitability targets effectively.
• Highly collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally and lead broker partnerships successfully.
• Results-oriented professional with a proactive, ownership-driven mentality and strong execution capabilities.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed to support customers, brokers, and company initiatives.
• Preferred location within the Eastern half of the United States.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead a high-impact commercial function within a rapidly growing consumer goods organization.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and high-performance work environment.
• Career advancement and professional development opportunities.
• Exposure to strategic retail partnerships and high-visibility business initiatives.
• Flexible and dynamic work culture focused on innovation and growth.
• Opportunity to work alongside experienced commercial, marketing, and operational leaders.
• Strong organizational focus on collaboration, accountability, and execution excellence.