Senior Customer Development Manager (Walmart)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Customer Development Manager is responsible for the functional management, leadership, and execution of all sales related activities for Walmart and Sam’s Club. The individual will support the team with Nestle’s Co. systems (Osprey) and with customers systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead annual strategic plans with customers to drive category growth and sales.
• Develop winning relationships throughout retailer ecosystems.
• Identify new opportunities for growth with a strong focus on exceeding performance goals through off-shelf displays, distribution gains, and other growth initiatives.
• Establish strong, collaborative relationships with internal cross-functional teams, including Customer Strategy, Category Management, Finance, and Demand Planning.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of the customer's go-to-market model, including key priorities, competitive position, behaviors, and strategies.
• Educate our business partners on our products, retail goals, and measures of success.
• Lead and deliver customer presentations that showcase innovation, shelf positioning, promotional opportunities, and other key initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day business in partnership with customers and internal teams, including item setup, maintenance, e-commerce/omnichannel support, and inventory management.
• Develop and input accurate monthly forecasts to improve forecast accuracy and efficiencies by tracking shipments, consumption trends, and inventory changes. Proactively identify risks and opportunities that may impact monthly and annual forecasts.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field preferred.
• At least 7 years sales experience is preferred with 4 years managing strategic FDM customers.
• Sales experience in the Grocery, Drug and/or Mass retail channel(s) is required, Walmart and Sam’s Club experience preferred.
• Experience in consumer goods and Vitamins and supplements is preferred.
• Prior experience using syndicated data to determine customer needs and establish the most effective pricing and promotional activities that will increase sales and market share for the company and its customers.
• Proficient in Retail Link and Scintilla.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.).

SKILLS

• Knowledge regarding Project Management, and experience with setting up and managing projects in a complex, fast-moving environment.
• Knowledge regarding relationship management, experience and mindset to work with partners in building initiatives that deliver on goals.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and multiple brands/categories.
• High level of organizational skills, good written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Must be able to multi-task and follow-up when responses are needed.
• Deep understanding of the assigned Customer and how to develop demand creation plans.
• The ability to utilize creativity and push beyond the obvious, comfortable going into “unchartered” territory in setting out recommendations and goals.
• Problem solver with a solutions oriented mindset.
• Must be a dynamic leader who can push past obstacles and overcome objections.
• Must be an articulate communicator who can quickly synthesize data.
• P&L management and strong financial acumen.