At Country Life we add to the happiness and wellness of our customers, our employees, our communities and the planet. We are seeking a National Accounts Sales Manager to help in our mission. This position is based at your home-office.
As the National Accounts Sales Manager, you will manage, maintain & expand corporate relationships with national accounts & small chain retailers in the Natural Channel. You will execute sales strategy for achieving sales and gross margin targets while increasing product distribution for family of brands; Country Life, Biochem & Desert Essence.
The National Accounts Sales Manager will partner with Country Life’s National Distribution Manager, National Field Sales Manager, Territory Mangers & Broker to ensure they have the necessary tools and support to implement Natural Channel strategies & goals.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develops and maintains successful, long-term relationships with decision makers for assigned accounts. Proactively assesses, clarifies, and validates customer needs on an ongoing basis.
- Performs data analysis and develops sales strategy & promotional plan with ROI, across Natural Channel to optimize sales budgets and marketing resources while meeting target objectives.
- Manages & develops direct report to manage workflow and meet target objectives.
- Manages promotional participation, product mix & margin not to exceed total promotional spend.
- Review deductions & promotional credits for approval and accrual.
- Works with internal and external organization partners to provide item level forecasting for Plan & Demand.
- Build reporting & presentations for account Business Reviews & Promotional Planning Meetings, participating & leading said meetings.
- Create sales communications tools & action plans for the sales team and/or broker partner.
- Management of category reviews & new item submissions.
- Manages broker administrative services for national account customer portal(s) for promotional activity, category reviews, price changes and critical communications.
- Serve as cross departmental project lead for account specific initiatives. Review, analyze and present recommendations for new growth initiatives & projects. Assume responsibility for execution of approved projects.
- Coordination and/or participation of retailer events and programs such as, tabletop shows, grand openings, retail-specific educational opportunities, and off-site meetings.
- Regular store visits to maintain account expertise & knowledge of competitive landscape.
- Provides quarterly sales performance analysis & business updates.
- Work across channels to ensure coordination between brand messaging, promotional activity, and strength of APL.
- Coordinates and maintains effective & collaborative working relationships with all departments.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by, participating in educational symposia, corporate trainings, reviewing industry publications, establishing industry networks, etc.
- Assures compliance by following Food and Drug Administration's Good Manufacturing Practices as well as other regulatory standards as required by the department.
- Contributes to overall achievement by accomplishing related tasks and demonstrating characteristics that exemplify team building and support.
The above is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities. Other activities may be assigned as required by management.
SKILLS & COMPENTENCIES:
- Exceptional interpersonal skills & customer service
- Clear & articulate written & verbal communication skills
- Strong time management & organizational skills with ability to adhere to stringent deadlines
- Midlevel to advanced computer skills: MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently & remain highly motivated
- Innovative thinker with above average degree of creativity
- Ability & willingness to present in a team environment
- Ability & willingness to travel when necessary
- Strong analytical, strategic planning & reporting skills
- Professional & positive attitude
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Undergraduate degree preferred
- 3+ years’ successful B2B sales/sales management experience (Nutraceuticals preferred)
- 5+ years’ related natural products industry experience preferred