Market Development Leader I - Lake Park, FL

About the role

The Market Development Leader I plays a crucial role in the Sales team, focusing on achieving maximum sales profitability and market penetration through proactive communications and selling strategies. This position ensures that IOs and distributors are aligned with the Company’s initiatives for sales, service, merchandising standards, and product distribution.

Responsibilities

• Communicate the Company’s sales, service, and merchandising strategies to the IOs and distributors to maintain proactive and professional relations.
• Ensure the preservation of the obligations and rights of both the Company IOs and distributors.
• Prepare weekly volume and inventory reports and KPI scorecards.
• Provide a weekly Sales/IO Work-with planner to the Sales Operations Director (SOD).
• Spend time on the DC loading docks with IOs to hear their concerns and facilitate improvements.
• Facilitate ways to improve results of IOs and distributors by providing information on suggestions to grow market share.
• Aid in planning regularly scheduled workshop meetings in collaboration with the Sales Operations Director and the rest of the MDL team.
• Work to reinforce with retail store managers and store decision makers that Utz supports IOs and distributors and values their relationships with the Company.
• Conduct store visits in the assigned region to maintain open and proactive business relationships with the management teams of our customers and store decision makers.
• Identify successes and opportunities to grow DSD sales as well as underperformance by the IOs.
• Address IOs when they are not meeting the minimum service standards according to the contractual obligation that IOs owe Utz.
• Ensure that required resets are successful.
• Operate a motor vehicle, including a route box truck, safely.
• Provide route ride-a-longs, only at the request of the Independent Distributor, offering route optimization and skill sharing opportunities.
• Work proactively in a cross-functional team with diverse groups of people.
• Report food, office or operational safety problems to a supervisor or manager to initiate action.
• Adhere to all policies, guidelines, and procedures, such as Good Manufacturing Practices, GMPs; OSHA standards; FDA standards; and work and safety rules at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned that will impact and support the overall outcome of the Company’s objectives.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma is required.
• A Bachelor's degree in business is preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in sales operations, preferably in snacks, grocery, or beverage industry.
• DSD experience is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of Independent Distribution models, including familiarity with Independent Operator/Distributor Agreements and the obligations and rights of both the Company and the Independent Distributor.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities while remaining flexible to meet the day’s objectives.
• Capability to build trust and rapport through persuasion and respect.
• Ethical selling and negotiation skills that can be shared with IOs and Distributors at their request.
• Proactive communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail. Must have excellent organization skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
• Ability to embrace technology to make informed business decisions.
• Effective leadership, presentation, and communication skills to effectively convey insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Effective problem-identification and problem-solving skills.
• Effective business acumen and a strategic mindset.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license.
• Possess or have the ability to obtain a DOT medical card.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of Independent Distribution models, including familiarity with Independent Operator/Distributor Agreements and the obligations and rights of both the Company and the Independent Distributor.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities while remaining flexible to meet the day’s objectives.
• Capability to build trust and rapport through persuasion and respect.
• Ethical selling and negotiation skills that can be shared with IOs and Distributors at their request.
• Proactive communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail. Must have excellent organization skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
• Ability to embrace technology to make informed business decisions.
• Effective leadership, presentation, and communication skills to effectively convey insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Effective problem-identification and problem-solving skills.
• Effective business acumen and a strategic mindset.

Benefits

Our benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer match 401k, profit sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan, and much more. We also help take care of our associates by providing resources and programs that ensure they live their healthiest lives.

Pay

Details about pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details about the schedule are not specified in the job posting.

Company Culture

At Utz, we have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from high quality ingredients. After over a century with a strong family heritage, our diverse portfolio of brands includes Utz, Zapp’s, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. Our associates are the reason for the success of this company, so it is important we provide a supportive, caring, and inclusive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and advancement. We also help take care of our associates by providing benefits, resources, and programs that ensure they live their healthiest lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.