Purpose: 

Responsible for customer sales and the retail profitability contribution for all assigned accounts and is expected to meet or exceed wholesale budgeted sales, service level, and EBIT targets for those accounts.

Job Responsibilities:

Manage Customer Relationships

·         Develop and sustain strong working relationships and a presence as a valued consultant with assigned retail owners and department managers.

·         Address customer issues (e.g., needs, requests, and complaints) with proper urgency to the satisfaction of both parties.

·         Work collaboratively with Account Managers and Inside Sales to ensure the mutually established sales goals are achieved.

·         Respond to and meet customer needs, both internally and externally. Liaison to provide retailer feedback to management on all issues.

·         Represent the company by developing and maintaining a positive business relationship with retail customers, new clients, and UNFI region staff.

·         Resolve all internal and external customer requests and concerns while maintaining a high level of professionalism and service.

·         Key contact for National Customer Service on retailer issues as well as coordinator of Orderwell changes and exception orders.

Manage Execution

·         Establish a full understanding of the strategies, tactics, and programs offered by the region and implement those programs and concepts with retailers. Follow up with assigned accounts on program participation.

·         Identify purchase concentrations and product and service opportunities for each store/account develop plans and monitor progress to capitalize on opportunities.

·         Provide assigned accounts with operational and tactical support to achieve sales goals.

·         Assist with seasonal merchandising, promotional planning, booking seasonal & new item orders, and performing other tasks as necessary to support retailers. Maintain a database of Regional SKUs needed. Oversee EMS Ad entries, EMS ad play, and SRP determination.

·         Understand the specific markets in which the retailers compete and adapt programs and plans to the marketplace to ensure retailer success.

·         Communicate retailer needs to the regional merchandising department to create new or enhance existing programs.

·         Provide competitive field intelligence to the internal merchandising staff to meet the needs of our customers more effectively.

·         Provide competitive merchandising solutions/SOPs for retail formats by researching market conditions to determine potential sales of products or services and retail trends.

·         Be the Produce/Floral Expert! Stay abreast of all industry-related products, market conditions, key regulations/issues, equipment trends, and technology.

Facilitate Profitability

·         Assist sales leadership in conducting annual business reviews with assigned accounts (e.g., sales results, product and service level opportunities, performance against plan, and other key account issues or concerns).

·         Research, report, and document P&L data to the Category Merchandising Manager.

·         Establish department-specific sales plans for accounts within the prescribed territory to achieve financial goals for each assigned department.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications/or Equivalent combination of education training and experience:  

·         Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

·         3 years minimum of retail and/or vendor experience preferred.

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

·         Basic knowledge of the internal buying system is preferred.

·         Solid negotiating skills.

·         Possess good communication skills, both verbal and written. Deal effectively with a wide variety of people both in person and over the telephone.

·         Basic computer skills required and personal computer experience, with word processing and spreadsheet applications preferred.

·         Requires the analytical ability to handle administrative duties and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough completion of work activities.

·         Possess the ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/DEMANDS:

·         50% travel required.

·         Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.

·         Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.

·         While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

·         Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during a normal workday.

·         Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.