Product Development Business Manager, Fresh Food

Summary

We build people, brands and businesses! We are looking for a dynamic Product Development Manager, Fresh to join one of our account teams. Reporting to a Senior Business Manager or Director, this position is responsible for the overall management of a single account with limited categories and limited team functions or a key category or categories within a larger account in the brokerage business. This role will have responsibilities within the execution of strategic plans, business plans, budgeting, and hiring for the account team.

Take this opportunity to join North America’s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

What we offer:

• Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and Career Development
• Generous Paid Time-Off 

Responsibilities:

• Achieve budgeted goals for area of accountability.
• Perform, coordinate and lead the analysis and development of: marketing plans; product promotions; advertising; in-store displays; merchandising strategies; and inventory forecasting.
• Ensure execution of the Large Account Management Process framework to identify the most critical initiatives and relationships and work with the team to lay out short and long-term plans to achieve relationships at the appropriate level for the account or assigned category business unit.
• Demonstrate functional expertise in all facets of Private Brand & Branding via on-the-job development, educational and networking opportunities.
• Develop and nurture business relationships with manufacturers and retailer clients
• Utilize industry knowledge and experience to provide key insights with manufacturers and internal team
• Attract, develop and retain key talent to enable the execution of the collective goals of the customer and the enterprise.
• Execute new strategic initiatives for the account or the assigned categories.
• Competitive Resolve - Possessing a competitive spirit that is not easily discouraged or daunted, and the perseverance to work around obstacles and find ways to win.
• Communication Skills - Ability to speak, write and present ideas, plans and information in a persuasive and compelling manner with people at all organizational levels.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA/Graduate Degree preferred
• 3 years of professional work experience required; 5 years preferred
• Experience with Food Science/Culinary Arts/ Product Development
• Proven track record in sales, selling and executing products/programs in the retail space; preferably in Seafood, Meat, Bakery or Food Service
• Fluent in Microsoft Applications
• Self-Driven / Results Orientated
• Demonstrate organization of business projects
• Experience in building and nurturing brands; private brand management a plus
• Demonstrated ability to pioneer new business development
• Ability to contribute to setting and achieving budgets
• Good grasp of Product Development, Marketing, Retail, Category Management, and Logistics

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

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.

Job Duty

Business/Functional Results

• Achieve budgeted goals for area of accountability
• Support account team in the development of sales plans
• Effectively negotiate supplier commission rates to grow category or team revenue
• Perform, coordinate and lead the analysis and development of: marketing plans; product promotions; advertising; in-store displays; merchandising strategies; and inventory forecasting
• Manages assigned categories, performs analysis, and develops and recommends strategy within assigned area of responsibility
• Interprets trends and other sales analysis data to assist Sr. Business Manager
• Performs increasingly complex interactions with suppliers, taking ownership and including rate negotiation
• Collaborates and  partners with marketing resources, both internal and external (note: international may have more autonomy to develop their own marketing plans)
• May assist with needs for innovation
• Demonstrates increased innovation and autonomy around marketing, brand management and consumer data analytics; may lead team providing more experience and covering more suppliers
• Performs activities in a consultative manner, influencing and convincing buyers, effectively selling various services

Managing Execution

• Ensure execution of the LAMP framework to identify the most critical initiatives and relationships and work with the team to lay out short and long term plans to achieve relationships at the appropriate level for the account or assigned category business unit
• Allocate resources at the account level or within assigned category business unit
• Demonstrate functional expertise in all facets of Private Brand & Branding via on-the-job development, educational and networking opportunities
• Develop strong supplier relationships by obtaining alignment and developing and delivering on mutually established goals.

Generating Talent

• Attract, develop and retain key talent to enable the execution of the collective goals of the customer and the enterprise
• Assure succession plans are in place for critical roles
• Motivates, directs and inspires team members to deliver on the agreed upon metrics of the customer and suppliers in conjunction with the needed resources/teams across the enterprise
• Identify expected level of decision-making and expected level of risk-taking for team members

Strategic Leadership

• Execute new strategic initiatives for the account or the assigned categories
• Support, provide guidance with customer issues relating to cost/value
• Foster thought leadership within account team
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Private Brand landscape, best practices and where customers currently exist in these arenas
• Typically 1 - 3 reports

Managing Relationships

• Directs, delegates and empowers effectively

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

- Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

- May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

- Travel and Driving are not essential duties or functions of this job 

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Required):    Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Field of Study/Area of Experience: Business

3-5 Years of experience in building and nurturing brands; private brand management a plus

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Basic Computer Skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, & web browsers
• Strong Written & Verbal Communication Skills
• Conflict Management Skills
• Decision Making Skills
• Strong Priortizing Skills
• Excellent Customer Service Skills
• Track Record of Building & Maintaining Customer/Client Relationships
• Ability to Visualize & Plan Objectives & Goals Strategically

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 the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

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 position 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 the law.

Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes. Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).

Important Information

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 the law.