Manager of National Accounts (Kroger)

Primary focus of the retail National Accounts Manager is to maximize the sales and marketing of supplier brands. This role will support national chain (Kroger) through effective field level planning, selling, merchandising, execution, compliance and communication therefore enhancing the achievement of company and supplier objectives.

This position can be based in any Central West Market that Breakthru Beverage operates in.

Market Field

Grow and expand Kroger and BBG regional/state level relationships.
• Field level work-withs to ensure market level executions, market visits will consist of meeting with Kroger local leadership, store surveys, BBG market lead meetings
• Understand competitive pricing and product programming by reviewing pricing schedules and surveying accounts
• Support BBG market level sales teams as a training and information resource. Present and listen & learn chain account strategies, marketing plans, trends and industry knowledge
• Engage trade marketing and suppliers to create/implement regional programs to drive results.
• Work together with BBG Analyst and Category Management to identify opportunities & solutions then deliver to customer.
• Prepare forecasts for budgets and depletions for all brands on an as needed basis.

Market Communication

• Drive customer strategy execution at the field level by effective communication of marketing plans, alignment on execution expectations and knowledge of the region and BBG markets.
• Establish selling & merchandising objectives relative to brand priority for chain(s) by understanding company/supplier priorities and BBG region/markets.
• Ensures maximum brand visibility within accounts by maintaining account standards and disseminating local market trackers.

Customer

• Facilitate, prepare and present market level pricing, new or expanded item presentations and regional programs. Surface retail competitor's moves and changes in market dynamics establishing local market expertise.
• Incorporate supplier AOPs into asks.
• Present division/ market-level opportunities, Better leverage local QDs to enable Kroger to be more price competitive.
• Present QBRs to RCMs

Suppliers

• Maintain professional relationships with all suppliers by participating in effective supplier planning meetings, regular communication and surveys.
• Establish cadence of calls with key suppliers to align on their top priorities and objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required
• 3-5 years sales experience
• A minimum of 2 years in National/Regional, or large local chain account sales in the Adult Beverage industry or related experience is required.
• A sound understanding of wine and spirits and the three-tier system is required
• Willingness to travel 25%
• PC literacy with Microsoft Office programs

Competencies:

• Must possess in-depth consumer products knowledge
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required
• Very strong interpersonal skills required
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to establish and manage priorities

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Frequent hand motion with answering and dialing phones and computer work
• Occasional carrying, overhead reaching and lifting of up to 50 pounds to perform various duties
• Occasional immediate reaching to perform various office duties
• Occasional standing for short amounts of time to perform various duties
• Occasional walking for short amounts of time to perform various duties
• Extended sitting for long periods of time at desk or workstation
• Minimal squatting or bending to perform various duties
• Occasional Climb Stairs
• Specific vision abilities are required which include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus

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