Customer Development Manager, Food & Specialty

At Nordic Naturals, we’re committed to delivering the world’s safest, most effective nutrients essential to health. Our award-winning omega-3 fish oil and other foundational nutrients are research supported, expertly formulated, rigorously tested, proven effective and, best of all, great tasting. With products for the whole family, we deliver the nutrients essential for healthy living. 

Nordic Naturals has been revolutionizing omega-3s since 1995, pioneering a new definition of fish oil as it relates to purity, freshness, taste, and dosage. Headquartered in Watsonville, CA, the company has expanded beyond solely omega-3s and offers complementary, foundational nutrients essential to health. Our portfolio, which is distributed to over 35 countries, includes more than 200 products in a variety of flavors and formulations for adults, kids, athletes, and pets. Family owned; Nordic Naturals works passionately to see generations of healthier, happier people around the world.   

A career with Nordic Naturals is more than just a job. Every day, our family of employees brings out the best in each other by drawing on individual strengths to achieve company-wide goals. Every person at Nordic Naturals plays a vital role in the company’s shared success, and this creates an inspiring atmosphere of trust, collaboration, and teamwork with ample opportunity for professional growth. We care deeply about what we do, and how we do it. Because when you work hard to help others to be healthy, it’s easy to love what you do.

The Customer Development Manager, FDM is responsible for overseeing business activities for assigned key accounts in this class of trade. The Customer Development Manager coordinates sales distribution through Strategic Customer Accounts by setting and determining business objectives, pioneering and cultivating retail venues that align with Nordic Naturals’ business objectives. The candidate is responsible for establishing promotional programs and sales goals and providing general oversight and management for national and regional key accounts as specified by Nordic Naturals Sales Management. This role works with Key Food Customers in the Grocery Division.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Function Statement(s)

• Work with Director of Sales, Retail to create short and long-term sales strategies for assigned national key accounts in the Food channel to promote the Nordic Naturals product line
• Assist in establishing and delivering  annual sales targets and ensuring continued growth and profitability of brand with key accounts
• Develop and manage relationships with key accounts through in-person meetings and regular communication
• Support retailers in creating demand at the consumer level through effective collaboration with corporate marketing team and Brand Manager.
• Guide Strategic Sales Support team to ensure promotions, co-op, and demos are set up in accordance with key account plans
• Responsible for the development of sales presentations utilizing corporate and key account templates whenever required
• Provide data driven analysis as needed to ensure sales initiatives are properly executed and perform to expectations
• Understands and tracks trade spend ROI for the purpose of determining successful strategies and future direction   
• Assist in the creation of, and oversee, yearly key account promotional budgets necessary for growing and maintaining the business
• Negotiate contracts and agreements with assigned key accounts as necessary and ensure compliance with all SOP’s and company policies
• Maintain and organize all category review periods for Retail accounts and drive business and new item submissions forward accordingly
• Represent company at trade shows and association meetings and other key account venues to promote brand and products
• Provide solutions for any challenges that arise throughout the course of business and make recommendations to Director of Sales, Retail using data to support decisions wherever possible
• Provide monthly and quarterly key account updates to Retail sales and management team and participate in webinars and annual sales meetings as needed
• Attend department meetings at corporate headquarters as requested
• Field KA operations, accounting and other business inquiries
• Provide product forecasts for all new product launches, new item submissions and other promotional inventory needs
• Other duties as assigned

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Competency Statement(s) 

• Innovative - Ability to look beyond the standard solutions and "think outside the box".
• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to adequately solve problems.
• Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task and perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Communication - Ability to communicate effectively with others using spoken and written word clearly and concisely. 
• Goal Oriented - Ability to focus on a goal and obtain a pre-determined result.
• Communication, Oral & Written - Ability to communicate effectively with others using spoken and written words clearly and concisely.
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers.
• Assertiveness - Ability to act in a self-confident manner to facilitate completion of a work assignment or to defend a position or idea.
• Positive - Ability to view all situations with a positive attitude.
• Enthusiastic - Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task.
• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.
• Autonomy - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

SKILLS & ABILITIES
Computer Skills

• Must be proficient in MS Office Suite, most importantly Excel, and have experience working with key account portals

Other Requirements

• BA/BS Business Administration or other equivalent degree; 5-7 years of account management experience in the specialty/natural class of trade, supplement experience a plus.

Pay, Benefits & Perks:

• The estimated annual pay for this role is $120,000 to $140,000. This pay is an estimate and the exact compensation may vary depending on an applicant's location, skills, prior experience, professional qualifications, and other relevant factors. Additional compensation may also include incentive compensation (i.e. bonus or commission) if applicable.

At Nordic Naturals, ‘step one’ toward achieving our goal of a healthy world is taking care of our family of employees. We offer a comprehensive and attractive benefits program to employees and eligible family members. Our benefits & perks include the following:

Multiple Health Plan Options

• Dental & Vision
• Dedicated Mental Health & Wellness Plan
• Access to Multiple EAP Plans
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• PTO
• Paid Holidays (9 holidays per year)
• Paid Sabbatical (3 weeks of paid sabbatical after every 5 years of employment)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (employer matches dollar for dollar up to 3%)
• Free Monthly Supplements
• Product Discount Program
• Wellness Coach

Nordic Naturals is an equal opportunity employer. A pre-employment drug screening and background check are conditions of employment.