Associate Customer Business Manager - Target Foods

Unilever•Minneapolis, MN

17h•$88,600 - $133,000

About The Position

The Associate Customer Business Manager (ACBM) develops and executes the customer business strategy for Unilever’s Target Foods business. This externally facing role leads the customer relationship and is accountable for sustainable, profitable growth through customer partnerships, Joint Business Planning, execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The ACBM leads customer plans across key Foods categories to drive net sales and market share while managing spending within budget. The role owns customer financial targets, including net sales value, volume, trade investment, customer profitability, and market share. It manages customer investment, forecasts and evaluates business performance, and leads customer sell-in and execution of innovations and strategic initiatives. The ACBM works with Target and internal Category Management and Marketing teams to identify and deliver category growth opportunities. The position pays $88,600 to $133,000 and is bonus eligible. Unilever employees may participate in benefits plans offering health insurance, retirement savings benefits, life and disability insurance, parental and sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, and voluntary benefits. Unilever states its commitment to inclusion, equal opportunity, and employee growth and development.

Requirements

3–5+ years of experience in Customer Development, Sales, Category Management, Customer Strategy, Business Development, or related commercial functions.
Strong analytical and financial acumen.
Experience managing customer plans, promotional programs, and forecasting processes.
Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree is a plus.
Experience supporting Target or other national retail customers.
Experience utilizing Circana, NielsenIQ, customer POS, shopper, and category analytics.
Experience with Joint Business Planning and annual customer planning processes.
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute annual and multi-year customer growth strategies for Target Foods.
Lead the Joint Business Planning process with Target and identify opportunities that create value for both Target and Unilever.
Partner with customer buying, merchandising, planning, and category teams to align on shared growth objectives.
Translate category, shopper, and consumer insights into actionable customer strategies.
Drive strategic assortment, distribution, merchandising, pricing, and promotional initiatives.
Act as a trusted business partner, using insights and data to influence decisions.
Resolve customer issues proactively and ensure a high standard of customer service and execution.
Deliver customer financial targets for net sales value, volume, trade investment, customer profitability, and market share.
Manage customer investment within budget and optimize return on trade spend.
Develop short- and long-term forecasts and identify risks and opportunities.
Lead business reviews and performance analysis to support delivery of annual business plans.
Lead customer sell-in and execution of innovation launches and strategic initiatives.
Partner with Category Management and Marketing teams to unlock category growth opportunities.
Use shopper, category, and market insights to influence customer decisions.
Drive excellence in merchandising, distribution, availability, and in-store execution.