Category Development Specialist - Bergen County

Allied Beverage Group • Elizabeth, NJ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Category Development Specialist role will be responsible for Hemp Direct Sales, RTD, Low and No Activation inclusive of achieving customer objectives in both the Off & On Premise, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and targets by implementing strategies and tactics while managing customers in a manner that will achieve profitable long-term growth for Hemp, Low / No Alcohol brands within the portfolio.

Requirements

• 1-2 years Sales Experience
• Budget, sales, and marketing experience
• 4-year college degree or equivalent
• Comprehensive understanding of Hemp / RTD / Low / No Alcohol brands to include knowledge of categories, basic production, and service
• Ability to adapt and can assist a variety of internal customer groups and varying personality types
• Strong negotiation skills; demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit
• Ability to create and sell innovative ideas
• Goal oriented, focused, and assertive individual who needs little direction or supervision
• Ability to work flexible hours which include early morning evenings, and/or weekends
• Ability to participate in business meetings, company initiatives and events upon request
• Managing complex customer relationships
• Strong sales skills, superior negotiation and influencing skills
• Leadership capabilities with strong presentation and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in fact-based selling and analysis of syndicated consumer data (IRI, Nielsen)
• Basic brand marketing and finance skills
• Basic computer skills (excel, access, word, PowerPoint etc.)

Responsibilities

• Sales of THC Hemp Beverage Portfolio
• Deliver on volume and profitability objective by brand
• Ensure compliance to Corporate Hemp / RTD /Low / No Alcohol Brand Strategies
• Increase the quality/quantity of accepted innovative business building proposals
• Cold Box Management
• Category Management
• Understand best practices
• Apply comprehensive market, product and consumer information to generate brand and volume building activities
• Increase number of accounts where we are considered trusted advisor:
• Become part of customers planning process
• Obtain preferred supplier status (right of first refusal)
• Understand and deliver on account’s goals, strategies and opportunities
• Set goals, measure, evaluate and adapt to changes
• Meet and exceed customer expectation on fundamental business needs
• Identify and adopt key account management best practices beyond customer and industry
• Lead development of annual plans for key accounts that reflect agreed brand and customer strategies and support the delivery of business goals
• Develop preferred supplier status with accounts by participating in the accounts planning process
• Communicate market, brand and consumer developments/trends/best practices inside and outside the category and/or industry
• Influence Allied Beverage Group sales teams to develop account specific programs in line with RTD / Low / No Alcohol brand strategies using local consumer insight as well as category trends.
• Recommend suitable account specific brand and volume mix targets
• Oversee account performance and implement corrective business building actions
• Proactively participate in strategy briefing sessions and provide continuous feedback on execution and program effectiveness
• Ensure delivery of specific Category Management guidelines and principles to strategic account category manager resource aligned against customers
• Set and achieve KPI’s (Depletions, Distribution, Ads, Displays, Features, Shelf Execution, Digital Posts, Menu Placement, Wells, House Pours, POS, Permanent Signage etc.)
• Engage in relationship building activities with buyer for all key accounts
• Weekly Pre-plans and Recaps
• Achieve Hemp Beverage Sales and Distribution KPI’s
• Achieve monthly KPI Goals
• Communicate and Manage Targets
• Work with Allied Beverage Group Managers on key priorities
• Weekly check-in on targets – Business Reviews and opportunity discussions
• Supplier ride-withs
• Key Account Manager ride-withs
• Presenting updates at weekly team meetings
• Attend events
• Responsibility for Core list of Off Premise accounts
• Responsibility for Geographic Area for Portfolio of Brands
• Plan & Prepare Account/Activities
• Account Business Reviews
• Activate Hemp / RTD / Low / No Alcohol Brand Marketing Programs
• Execute Retail Controllables and Brand Standards at L3F
• Account audits
• Assess and implement account needs
• Consumer Sampling
• Staff Education
• Digital Posts

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401K plan with company match
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance Plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree