Customer Manager (HQS)

The Customer Manager is a salesperson responsible for being the sales expert for a designated customer, providing strategic customer insights. The Customer Manager works to ensure joint business plans are executed by the customer. This role works closely with key account managers within the assigned department, as well as order entry, claims, schematics, and retail sales associates to ensure all client and customer standards are met. The Customer Manager must possess the ability to bridge the relationship between the key account management team and all stakeholders at assigned customers.

Our clients are defined as the manufacturers, vendors, or brands who have contracted Advantage as their sales force. Our customers are defined as retailers, wholesalers, or distributors to whom we sell our clients’ brands.

This teammate will collaborate with customers to develop strategic plans to accomplish business goals and work with retailer associates on headquarter calls to implement programs.

This teammate will own the relationship with customers and make recommendations regarding spending of clients’ trade funds to drive increased sales, and will sign, implement, and execute contracts at customers on clients’ behalf.

This position also works closely with internal associates such as key account managers, order entry, claims, category management, schematics, and retail associates to increase sales volume within a market.

The Customer Manager represents the entire range of products and services for all clients represented and establishes and maintains productive relationships through direct customer contact.

The Customer Manager manages and coordinates the activities of the key account team, clients, and customers. The Customer Manager is a partner to the key account manager and consults on strategic planning. The Customer Manager is responsible for store visits, confirming retail execution, and identifying opportunities.

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Responsibilities

• Drive client business at assigned customer by increasing distribution, growing sales and share, and staying within budget guidelines
• Manage and coordinate sales activities through analysis of customer data, sales planning, and sales presentations
• Serve as conduit between customer, key account managers, and clients through selling presentations, new item introductions, and display selling
• Manage and delegate divisional initiatives, maintain team trackers, and ensure timely customer responses including promotional forecasts
• Manage selling recommendations to build long-term business growth
• Attend and present in client meetings and management meetings
• Conduct and manage customer meetings focused on promotional events and display execution
• Build relationships with buyers and support departments; recommend growth plans; assist with tactical issues including pricing, contracts, and execution
• Develop and leverage relationships with key influencers and decision-makers at assigned customers
• Sell displays, promotions, and new items; present business reviews; analyze scan data to build distribution recommendations
• Present pricing disparities and achieve parity in line with client guidance
• Capture weekly photos and gather weekly pricing as requested by clients

Qualifications

• Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred)
• Experience Requirements: 2–4 years experience in relevant field (Sales or Retail experience preferred)
• Travel requirement: No travel requirements

Supervisor Responsibility

Direct Reports: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports
Indirect Reports: Does not have direct reports, but may delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to motivate and inspire others
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated conflict management skills
• Excellent decision-making skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Ability to work effectively with management
• Ability to ensure service quality is maintained
• Strong computer skills with standard office software and web browsers

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Sedentary Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically, requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may require the ability to lift up to 10lbs.

Additional Information Regarding Job Duties

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job positions, or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of associates so classified. The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.