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

The Wonderful Company•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Sales Manager – Independent Retail is a key member of the FIJI Water team, responsible for managing assigned chain retailers, broadliners, grocery wholesalers, and direct-store-delivery customers. The role aims to grow FIJI Water sales, share of mind, and retail execution across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It calls for a proactive, creative problem solver with persuasive sales skills, knowledge of healthy, high-quality products, and a positive, opportunity-focused approach. The role collaborates with internal cross-functional teams and provides high-quality customer service to business partners. The position reports to the Sales Director – East Division. It involves customer field visits, account and distributor management, business development, fact-based selling, retail execution, promotional and merchandising programs, trade investment management, and using syndicated data and analytics to guide recommendations. Travel of up to 50% is required.

Requirements

At least 5 years of food and/or beverage sales experience, including distributor management and key account management.
Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data and turn findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to sell to customer needs and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience with sales planning and business management, including evaluating post-event performance and applying learnings to future customer programming.
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 providing high-quality support to internal and external partners.
Market and category knowledge, with the 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.
Experience using syndicated data and analytics platforms such as IRI, Nielsen, Mintel, or similar.

Responsibilities

Conduct regular field visits to customer accounts, partnering with the FIJI Water Retail Trade Execution team, distributor representatives, or working independently.
Identify and develop new business opportunities and drive SKU expansion and incremental distribution within existing accounts.
Develop and deliver fact-based selling presentations using actionable business, category, and market insights for retailers, distributors, and internal stakeholders.
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 execution of merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving objectives in alignment with portfolio and brand strategy, customer objectives, and trade investment goals.
Sell incremental displays, equipment, and promotional programs, and ensure execution and compliance at the store level.
Evaluate and negotiate Customer Marketing Agreements in alignment 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 business 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 drive customer and business objectives.

Benefits

Medical coverage, comprehensive vision and dental plans, and a 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 progression and internal mobility opportunities.
Learning and development resources, including people manager and leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses.
Company-wide mentorship program.
Continuous improvement training.
Company-provided funds to allocate to up to three charities through Wonderful Giving.
Opportunities to participate in group community service projects through Wonderful Neighbor.