Wakefern Team Lead – Perishables (Montvale, NJ)

C.A. Ferolie•Montvale, NJ

About The Position

The Wakefern Team Lead, Perishables, leads a team of business managers, sales development managers, and directors to drive client success. The role advances client objectives across innovation, assortment, merchandising, pricing, and promotion to increase market share, volume, and profitability within assigned accounts. It oversees key customer relationships and provides strategic direction and hands-on execution to align client goals with customer growth initiatives, support category growth, and deliver results for partners such as Wakefern. The Team Lead develops team and cross-functional performance objectives, business plans, and evaluation metrics; fosters client-customer collaboration through proactive communication and joint business planning; and maintains regular engagement, including bi-annual executive Top-to-Top meetings. The role applies knowledge of client products, policies, and organizational structure; analyzes industry, market, customer, and category trends; and manages relationships and priorities involving innovation, assortment, pricing, promotions, merchandising, shelving, and claims. It also maintains engagement records, uses company systems and customer portals, communicates promptly, escalates risks and opportunities, and participates in ongoing professional development. The position supervises team members, including hiring, onboarding, training, work assignment, feedback, performance management, coaching, and professional development, in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. Candidates need a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, 10–15 years of relevant industry experience or a combination of education and experience, and 3–5 years of strong customer experience. Wakefern experience is not required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
10–15 years of relevant industry experience, or a combination of education and experience.
3–5 years of strong customer experience.
Proficiency in order processing systems.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Strong critical-thinking skills, including analysis, evaluation, and problem-solving.
Ability to synthesize syndicated data and shipment reports, think strategically, and generate creative solutions.
Effective prioritization and goal-setting capabilities.
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
Ability to perform each essential function effectively, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with Wakefern is not required.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of performance objectives, business plans, and evaluation metrics for team members and cross-functional partners.
Drive collaboration between clients and customers through proactive communication, joint business planning, regular touchpoints, and bi-annual executive Top-to-Top meetings.
Apply knowledge of client products, policies, and organizational structure to develop realistic strategies that support business growth.
Monitor and analyze industry, market, customer, and category trends, including promotional activity, consumer behavior, and demographic shifts, to inform decisions and identify best practices.
Manage client and customer relationships involving innovation, assortment, pricing, promotions, merchandising, shelving, and claims.
Maintain accountability for client and customer engagement, including accurate record-keeping, use of company systems and customer portals, and timely communication.
Build professional relationships with clients, customers, leadership, and team members, and proactively escalate risks and opportunities.
Participate in ongoing training and development to strengthen leadership, communication, analytical, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Lead, coach, and develop team members in alignment with company policies and applicable laws.
Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management processes.
Assign and direct work, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional development to maximize team effectiveness and results.