Business Manager

Acosta•Harrisburg, MD

25d

About The Position

The Business Manager is responsible for managing assigned principals’ business within a defined marketing area. The role focuses on increasing sales and market share for represented brands while generating profit for manufacturers and Acosta. The Business Manager works with principals, customers, retail sales teams, and internal resources to deliver business objectives, support selling programs, and maintain effective financial and market oversight.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Proven track record in sales; experience with a food broker or national company is preferred.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, presentation, negotiation, and sales skills.
Ability to analyze sales and marketing information to make effective sales presentations.
Proficiency with a variety of software packages used to support the sales function.
Willingness to travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a food broker or national company.

Responsibilities

Deliver principals’ volume, share, and sales fundamentals—including merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving—at the lowest possible cost.
Achieve business goals while minimizing selling costs and maximizing company revenue, including brokerage, commissions, bonuses, and contest earnings.
Communicate principals’ priorities to internal teams and the retail selling organization to support in-store presence and business objectives.
Manage and participate in developing, designing, and presenting Acosta introductions to new principals.
Develop relationships with principals and customers, and proactively communicate with key principals.
Coordinate ongoing communication among General Managers, key principals, and other managers.
Collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on major retail initiatives, including new product introductions, selling drives, and contests.
Coordinate principals’ market visits and key account calls.
Use knowledge of customers, markets, and principals to sell specific programs and initiatives, involving Marketing, Technology, and Sales Support resources as needed.
Leverage senior leaders and experienced Business Managers to understand customer strategies and develop conceptual sales presentations that support principals’ objectives.
Provide feedback to principals and the General Manager on the effectiveness of strategies, selling programs, and initiatives.
Provide the Retail Sales Manager and shared resources with timely information, principal expertise, selling priorities, and retail-ready selling tools.
Maintain current account distribution information.
Regularly review market pricing reports for accuracy and competitive activity.
Collect and report competitive activity.
Provide feedback to the General Manager on building organizational capacity and improving the business.
Proactively share customer and manufacturer information with team members to build organizational capacity.
Proactively manage a personal skill development plan.
Ensure client procedures and policies are followed.
Develop expertise in client proprietary systems as needed to manage promotional plans and fund balances.
Monitor financial management, including deductions, and take corrective action as necessary.
Meet the position’s physical requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.