Sales Manager, Independent Retail – South Mid-Atlantic (FIJI Water)

The Wonderful Company • Charlotte, NC

5d

About The Position

The Sales Manager – Independent Retail is responsible for growing FIJI Water sales, share of mind, and retail execution across assigned chain retailers, broadliners, grocery wholesalers, and direct-store-delivery customers in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The role calls for a proactive, strategic, creative problem solver with persuasive sales skills and a strong understanding of high-quality products. It reports to the Sales Director – East Division and involves customer account visits, business development, fact-based selling, customer programming, and coordination with internal teams.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of food and/or beverage sales experience, including distributor management and key account management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data and turn findings into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, including the ability to sell to customer needs and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with sales planning and business management.
• Effective organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Customer-service mindset and commitment to high-quality support for internal and external partners.
• Demonstrated market and category knowledge and ability to adapt to changing business needs.
• Collaborative, flexible, and team-oriented approach.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with syndicated data and analytics platforms such as IRI, Nielsen, Mintel, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular field visits to customer accounts, alongside the FIJI Water Retail Trade Execution team or distributor representatives, or independently.
• Identify new business opportunities and grow SKU expansion and incremental distribution in existing accounts.
• Develop and deliver fact-based sales presentations using business, category, and market insights.
• Lead and participate in customer and sales meetings to increase share of mind, distribution, programming, and feature activity.
• Communicate brand priorities, brand performance, and category and market insights to internal and external customers.
• Drive merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving execution in line with portfolio and brand strategy, customer objectives, and trade investment goals.
• Sell incremental displays, equipment, and promotional programs, and ensure store-level execution and compliance.
• Evaluate and negotiate Customer Marketing Agreements (CMAs) in line with business objectives and trade investment strategies.
• Analyze, interpret, and communicate data and insights from Power BI, VIP, IDIG, IRI, and other syndicated sources to inform customer recommendations and internal decisions.
• Transport, install, replace, and maintain point-of-sale materials and advertising as appropriate for each account.
• Collaborate with Retail Trade Execution, Marketing, Operations, and other internal teams to advance customer and business objectives.
• Evaluate post-event performance and apply learnings to future customer programming.

Benefits

• Medical coverage, vision plans, and dental plans.
• 401(k) with match eligibility.
• 24/7 online physician consultations.
• Virtual mental health resources.
• Life coaching.
• Employee community groups.
• Cash rewards for healthy habits and fitness reimbursements.
• Library of on-demand fitness videos.
• Career advancement opportunities and internal mobility.
• Learning and development resources, including management and leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses.
• Company-wide mentorship program.
• Continuous improvement training.
• Wonderful Giving, which provides company funds employees can allocate to up to three charities of their choice.
• Wonderful Neighbor group service projects.

What This Job Offers

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