National Account Manager - Grocery South

Who We Are

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose

The individual in this position is responsible for developing the wholesale distribution of Lindt USA’s non-seasonal and seasonal products at Hy-Vee and HEB. This person strives to achieve or exceed projected key account sales goals with support from their broker network and guidance from the team leader. Additionally, this individual will ensure Lindt USA meets customer needs, achieves company sales and profitability objectives, and continuously works to optimize efficiencies and cultivate new sales opportunities with Hy-Vee and HEB.

Candidates for the position can be based in TX / Iowa / Northeast or Southeast US.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

National Sales & Account Management

• Develop, motivate, manage, and maintain a strong relationship with their assigned key accounts and optimize the company's competitive position; continually source new business opportunities to achieve or exceed sales plan.
• Render high-level, strategic presentations to Hy-Vee and HEB to procure chain-wide distribution of wholesale products from the non-seasonal and seasonal portfolios.
• Build and submit accurate forecasts to ensure the delivery of the appropriate seasonal and non-seasonal product to customers in a timely and efficient manner to achieve profit volume, while remaining within budgetary guidelines.
• Create, develop, and execute the customer business plan while leveraging Lindt & Sprüngli USA resources (category management, customer marketing, sales analytics, customer service). Plan execution also includes a relentless focus on managing promotional and non-promotional trade spending, with accountability to the annual budget.
• Ensure accounts needs are met without compromising the defined Lindt & Sprüngli USA market channel strategy; market and sell products appropriate to the channel as defined within strategy guidelines.
• Partner with Hy-Vee and HEB to develop and execute seasonal and non-seasonal programming; including but not limited to promotions, endcaps, displays, and right assortment / right stores.
• Maintain effective and timely internal communication with key stakeholders to ensure adjustments to customer strategies are understood and available resources aligned efficiently.
  
  

Fiscal Responsibility

• Consistently achieve sales goals and profitability while operating within budgetary constraints to contribute to the overall profitability of Lindt & Sprüngli USA.
• Develop and recommend annual budget requirements to ensure plans are compelling, financially coherent, feasible and clearly communicated within the organization.
• Develop and achieve accurate rolling sales forecasts to optimize production planning and product availability.
• Responsible for ensuring the effective utilization of Trade Promotion Funds to develop and expand business within assigned accounts; fully document support plans in trade system and ensure timely tracking of deductions.
• Continuously seek profitability optimization initiatives with the customer.
• Within scope of responsibility respond to and assist with keeping customer deductions to a minimum and influence customer compliance with payment terms.
  
  

Product Knowledge

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the Lindt & Sprüngli USA product offering to optimize sales efforts and ensure customer-focused, fact-based selling.
• Stay up to date with new product initiatives, services, and other relevant information that may be of interest to customers.
• Communicate competitive activity within assigned accounts so that Lindt & Sprüngli USA can react accordingly.
  
  

Qualifications & Requirements

Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong interpersonal and fact-based selling skills; results oriented.
• Proven background in data analytics, including experience with IRI, Nielsen, and other industry-standard tools.
• Ability to develop accurate rolling forecasts, strategic problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical and formal presentation skills
• Creativity and understanding of product development process
  
  

Education

• Bachelor's degree: Masters in related field preferred
  
  

Total Rewards

Compensation Range: $116,000-151,000.00

To learn more about our benefits visit https://jobs.lindtusa.com/total-rewards

Lindt USA’s salary range reflects market rates based on our size, revenue, and location. Starting pay is determined using a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, job-related skills, knowledge, and experience as well as market conditions. A bonus and/or long-term incentive may be included as part of this compensation package.

Lindt and Sprüngli is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law. Applicants for this position must successfully pass a background screening and may be required to pass drug screenings as well.

If you are looking to join a winning team and fast-track your career, contact us!

Join us on our journey of excellence, impact, and growth