Business Manager, Own Brands

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions•Sunbury, PA

About The Position

The Business Manager is responsible for overall management of a single account with limited categories and team functions, or of key categories within a larger account in the brokerage business. Reporting to a Senior Business Manager or Director, the role contributes to strategic and business plans, budgeting, hiring, and execution of initiatives. It manages assigned categories, supports account sales planning, develops supplier relationships, and coordinates marketing, promotions, advertising, displays, merchandising, and inventory forecasting. The position also leads and develops team members and applies expertise in private brands and branding. The Company is a North American sales and marketing agency specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services for manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. It serves multiple retail and trade channels and connects manufacturers with retailers. The work is performed primarily in an office environment. The position typically requires sitting for extended periods (66% or more of each day), hearing the telephone, entering data on a computer, and may require lifting up to 10 pounds. Travel and driving are not essential duties. The position typically has 1–3 reports.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; the listed qualifications also state a bachelor’s degree is required.
3 years of professional work experience required; 5 years preferred. Minimum qualifications specify 3–5 years of experience in building and nurturing brands.
Experience building and nurturing brands; private brand management is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams.
Ability to contribute to setting and achieving budgets.
Good grasp of product development, marketing, retail, category management, and logistics.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, and web browsers.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Conflict management and decision-making skills.
Strong prioritizing skills and excellent customer service skills.
Track record of building and maintaining customer/client relationships.
Ability to visualize and strategically plan objectives and goals.
Ability to perform essential job functions, including extended sitting, hearing the telephone, computer data entry, and potentially lifting up to 10 pounds.

Nice To Haves

MBA or graduate degree preferred.
Five years of professional work experience preferred.
Private brand management experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Achieve budgeted goals for the area of accountability and support the account team in developing sales plans.
Negotiate supplier commission rates to grow category or team revenue.
Coordinate and lead analysis and development of marketing plans, product promotions, advertising, in-store displays, merchandising strategies, and inventory forecasting.
Manage assigned categories, analyze performance, and develop and recommend strategies within the assigned area.
Interpret trends and sales analysis data to support the Senior Business Manager.
Handle increasingly complex supplier interactions, taking ownership and negotiating rates.
Collaborate with internal and external marketing resources and assist with innovation needs.
Develop autonomy and innovation in marketing, brand management, and consumer data analytics; potentially lead a team covering additional suppliers.
Influence buyers and sell services in a consultative manner.
Execute the Large Account Management Process framework, identify critical initiatives and relationships, and establish short- and long-term plans for the account or assigned category business unit.
Allocate resources at the account or category business-unit level.
Build functional expertise in Private Brand and Branding through on-the-job development, education, and networking.
Develop supplier relationships by aligning on and delivering mutually established goals.
Attract, develop, and retain talent; ensure succession plans for critical roles.
Motivate, direct, and inspire team members to meet customer and supplier metrics, and define appropriate decision-making and risk-taking expectations.
Execute strategic initiatives for the account or assigned categories and provide guidance on customer cost/value issues.
Foster thought leadership and demonstrate understanding of the Private Brand landscape, best practices, and customers’ current positions.
Direct, delegate, and empower effectively.
Hire, retain, train, coach, guide, direct, and develop direct reports using company processes and resources; may delegate work and mentor indirect reports.
Perform other job-related responsibilities assigned by a supervisor or manager.