Green Spoon Sales is an established natural food + beverage sales agency, representing the most exciting brands in CPG nationwide. We are a mission-driven team fueled by the desire to transform the retail landscape and bring healthier, cleaner, sustainable products to market. Join us on our journey of spreading good food, good vibes and impacting the world around us in a positive way. Natural Food, Good People.
In 2022 Green Spoon is taking bold steps to build out a best-in-class team dedicated to helping our portfolio brands navigate opportunities and success at Kroger and its banners.
This unique position would be a player/coach role, serving as the main point of contact for brands utilizing our Kroger division as well as the strategic visionary as to how the department will continue to grow.
We’d look to this role to help us grow the department with key strategic hires including, but not limited to, analysts, promotional coordinators and additional account managers. This role is responsible for maintaining existing business as well as generating new business opportunities for our partner brands. This is a dynamic position requiring the ability to focus on the top line strategies of our brands, our retailer customers, and our business, while also executing the tactical details associated with day-to-day retail sales management and business development.
Responsibilities
- Overall development and growth of our principals’ business at Kroger.
- Develop and strengthen relationships with Kroger and their category managers as well as the distributors supplying the account, namely DPI.
- Develop positive and trusting relationships with all principals. Address concerns and resolve issues in an efficient and respectful manner. Help principals navigate the Kroger landscape to make smart business decisions that will enable long-term growth at Kroger. Help principals avoid common pitfalls at Kroger to ensure good-standing relationships.
- Work with the team to continuously improve effectiveness and productivity.
- Be proactive in supporting our principals, Kroger and their distributors with store openings, distributor tabletops, trades shows, etc.
- Develop and recommend strategic / sound promotional plans for key principals.
- Educate brands on Kroger specific shopper marketing tools including but not limited to KPM, digital coupons, boosted search, Pickup, Catalina and more.
- Along with an analyst, educate brand on 84’55,Stratum and other data tools specific to Kroger. Make recommendations on what broker data packages make sense for Green Spoon to invest in.
- Be aware and report on efforts by competitors of our principals including new items, pricing, packaging, etc.
- Collaborate with the Green Spoon leadership team to generate ideas for growing our principals’ business and make suggestions for improvement.
- Attend and participate in all team meetings.
- Continue to build out Kroger team when needed including, but not limited to, data analysts, promotional coordinators and additional key account manager. This role will have the ability to help source top talent in these spaces and work together as a team. Build team with the backbone of “Green Spoon Culture”.
- Present Green Spoon’s newly built Kroger team to potential clients and speak to core competencies to grow portfolio of Kroger brands.
Measurable Objectives
- Present and receive buyer approvals for newlines / SKUs at Kroger and any other assigned accounts.
- Develop and work closely with the Buying Teams including the assigned distributor representatives of each account.
- Secure prime placement in planograms.
- Build out strategic and thoughtful promotional programs for our principals at Kroger.
- Prepare and submit New Items Forms, Distributor and Retail Promotions, etc.
- Secure key retailer appointments for our principals.
- Attend retailer meetings with principals and collaborate on all paperwork and reporting.
- Manage and oversee category review calendars that pertain to our principals.
Qualifications and Requirements
- The ideal candidate will be located in Cincinnati, OH or the surrounding area.
- Current relationships with Kroger Category Managers and data teams.
- A demonstrated understanding of Kroger promotional programs and shopper marketing tools.
- Existing relationships with Kroger distributors, namely DPI
- A college degree strongly preferred.
- 10+ years of relevant natural/conventional grocery experience selling to HQ.
- Organic and natural experience preferred
- Positive, collaborative attitude
- Great attention to detail
- Proficiency in MS Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to multi-task
- Interest in organic food and products
- Must own a smart phone and computer to perform duties
- Green Spoon supplies Microsoft Office Suite
Full-time, salary with strong benefits package.