Business Manager

Acosta•Portland, ME

77d•$72,600 - $90,800

About The Position

As a Business Manager, you will manage assigned customer business within a defined marketing area. The role focuses on increasing sales and market share for represented brands while earning a profit for manufacturers and Acosta. You will work with principals, customers, and internal teams to achieve business objectives, support in-store execution, and improve organizational capacity. The position reports directly to the General Manager or Team Leader.

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 prepare effective sales presentations.
Proficiency in a variety of software packages used to support the sales function.
Willingness to travel, mainly locally, up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

Sales experience with a food broker or national company.

Responsibilities

Deliver principals’ volume, share, and sales fundamental goals—including merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving—while controlling costs and maximizing company revenue through brokerage, commissions, bonuses, and contest earnings.
Communicate principals’ priorities to Retail Sales Managers, Sales Technology Managers (IT), Marketing Managers, Business Managers, and the retail selling organization to support in-store presence and business objectives.
Report to the General Manager or Team Leader and manage and participate in developing, designing, and presenting Acosta introductions to new principals.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with principals and customers, communicating proactively with key principals.
Coordinate ongoing communication between General Managers and key principals, and collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on major retail initiatives such as new product introductions, selling drives, and contests.
Coordinate principals’ market visits and key account calls, using knowledge of customers, markets, and principals to sell specific programs and initiatives.
Use insights from the Senior Vice President, General Manager, Team Leaders, and Senior Business Managers to develop conceptual sales presentations that deliver principals’ objectives.
Provide feedback to principals and the General Manager on the effectiveness of strategies, selling programs, and initiatives, and suggest ways to build organizational capacity and improve the business.
Maintain current account distribution information, review market pricing reports for accuracy and competitive activity, and collect and report competitive activity.
Manage personal skill development and share customer and manufacturer information with team members to build organizational capacity.
Ensure client procedures and policies are followed; develop expertise in client proprietary systems for managing promotional plans and fund balances; and monitor financial management, including deductions, taking corrective action as necessary.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall success of the business.