Associate Customer Business Manager - Target Foods

Unilever•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Associate Customer Business Manager (ACBM) develops and executes the customer business strategy for Target Foods. This externally facing role leads the customer relationship and drives sustainable, profitable growth through customer partnerships, Joint Business Planning, strong execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The ACBM develops and executes customer plans across key Foods categories to deliver net sales and market share goals while managing spending within budget. The role leads annual and multi-year customer growth strategies and Joint Business Planning with Target, partnering with customer buying, merchandising, planning, and category teams. It translates category, shopper, and consumer insights into customer strategies and drives assortment, distribution, merchandising, pricing, and promotional initiatives. The ACBM owns customer financial targets and investment, develops forecasts, leads performance reviews, and supports innovation launches and category growth in partnership with Category Management and Marketing teams. Compensation is $88,600 to $133,000, and the position is bonus eligible. Unilever employees may participate in a benefits plan that includes health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life and disability insurance, parental and sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, and voluntary benefits. Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports an inclusive workplace.

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 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.
Build trusted customer partnerships by leveraging insights and data to influence decisions.
Resolve customer issues proactively and maintain a high standard of customer service and execution.
Own delivery of customer financial targets, including 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 ensure 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.