National Account Manager - Kroger

Russell Stover • Cincinnati, OH

4d

About The Position

The National Account Manager will champion the Russell Stover brand through strategic promotion and pricing initiatives and help grow market share through analytical, sales-driven planning and execution with wholesale partners. The position manages the day-to-day relationship with Kroger retail buyers and teams, and collaborates with internal stakeholders and external customers in a fast-paced consumer packaged goods environment.

The role is responsible for driving net sales growth through performance analysis, forecasting, planning, distribution objectives, new item presentations, and promotional plans. It also manages budgets and trade funds, provides category management and analytical support, conducts recurring business reviews using point-of-sale and category data, and supports the e-commerce business through collaboration with internal and external partners.

When visiting manufacturing plants, the employee must follow Good Manufacturing Practices and food safety and quality programs, report potential hazards or process deviations, and contribute to continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in CPG sales, account management, category management, or business analytics.
• Experience managing customer relationships and partnering directly with retail buyers.
• Strong analytical skills, including interpreting POS, syndicated, and category data to develop actionable recommendations.
• Experience with sales forecasting, demand planning, and trade fund management.
• Advanced proficiency with 84.51°, Market6, DemandTec, and Prism.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience supporting the Kroger business and/or working directly with Kroger systems and processes.
• Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing skills, with or without an accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using Circana (IRI) syndicated data to identify trends and business opportunities.
• Experience developing sales stories and delivering presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with promotional planning, deduction management, and trade spending analysis.
• Ability to develop financial recommendations supported by ROI and profitability analysis.
• Strong sense of urgency, follow-through, responsiveness, and customer focus.
• Success leading customer presentations, business reviews, and new item sell-in meetings.
• Experience conducting Joint Business Planning (JBP) with retail customers.
• Knowledge of Kroger merchandising, category review, promotional, and distribution processes.
• Experience supporting e-commerce and omnichannel growth initiatives.
• Extensive knowledge of the grocery channel and/or Kroger customer landscape.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day relationships with retail buyers and teams.
• Drive net sales growth through performance analysis, forecasting, and planning for the everyday inline business.
• Manage budgets and funds to achieve optimal return on investment.
• Maintain accurate monthly and annual forecasts for everyday items.
• Develop and execute ongoing distribution objectives for Kroger.
• Develop and deliver new item presentations to meet current and future objectives.
• Plan and implement promotional plans.
• Budget and manage trade funds.
• Monitor competitive activity and serve as a category expert.
• Provide category management and analytical support using 84.51° and Market6 platforms.
• Manage weekly and seasonal internal business reviews using POS and category data through 84.51°, Market6, DemandTec, and Prism platforms.
• Manage the e-commerce business in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• When visiting manufacturing plants, follow GMP and FSQA training and programs, report food safety hazards or process deviations, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level