Customer Manager Associate

Acosta•Minneapolis, MN

61d•$37,400 - $45,000

About The Position

The Customer Manager Associate covers the territory and surrounding area for the assigned market. Reporting to a Retail Sales Manager or Senior Customer Manager, the associate develops relationships with store managers and personnel to achieve short- and long-term performance objectives at assigned stores within a geographic territory. The role focuses on wall-to-wall sales coverage, including getting new items quickly onto shelves, maintaining schematic compliance, conducting item and pricing surveys, selling promotions, and merchandising products to generate incremental sales volume. Associate Customer Managers perform the same selling duties as others in the job family, but for less complex small and midsize retailers. Acosta is part of Acosta Group, a collective of retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies specializing in retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence. The organization describes a team of more than 20,000 associates and says many field roles offer flexible scheduling options. Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Sales experience.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and sales skills, with the ability to work effectively with team members, peers, management, and external customer contacts.
Home space to store samples that are readily accessible and securely stored.
Basic Office functionality comprehension, including Outlook and Excel; proficiency managing Outlook email and calendar and basic Excel workbooks.

Responsibilities

Sell promotional programs for displays at independent natural retailers purchasing from distributors.
Sell incremental quantities for display and TPR based on OI programs through distributors.
Develop relationships with store managers and buyers through effective communication and follow-through.
Obtain distribution and placement of clients’ new items at independent natural retailers through distributors such as UNFI and/or KeHE.
Identify and correct voids.
Merchandise manufacturers’ products to obtain the best possible shelf placement.
Attend retailer resets when requested.
Complete audits and pricing surveys in stores as requested.
Communicate competitive and market activity to management.
Use supplied technology to report results.
Set and review performance against objectives with the Sales Manager.