Senior Director, Customer Development

ABOUT HINT

Back when we started Hint in 2005, our motto was Drink Water, Not Sugar. Our mission to this day is to help people fall in love with water — delicious, fruit-infused water — so they can live healthier lives.

Twenty years on, we’ve attracted our share of imitators, but no one has been able to match that touch of true fruit flavor in every bottle of Hint. The craftsmanship we put into creating flavors that fully reflect their fruit origin is unparalleled. With no sweeteners, no preservatives, and zero calories, it's no wonder our fans have turned Hint into an obsession.

Today, Hint is sold in over 30,000 stores all over the United States. We feature dozens of amazing flavors — including perennial favorites Blackberry, Watermelon, and Cherry — as well as limited edition smash-ups, and exclusive bundles, all available at drinkhint.com, Amazon, e-Retail account, and major retailers.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Director, Customer Development, is responsible for leading national support for Retail and Foodservice selling strategies, communication, and execution. Reporting to the SVP of Sales, this person will be the key architect of how the brand shows up in the marketplace, ensuring alignment between customer strategies, channel priorities, and company growth objectives.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Lead Retail and Foodservice Sales strategy & initiatives via omnichannel support: social, e-retail, in-store display, demo support, media, etc.
• Manage the Sales Marketing department, providing guidance and mentorship to the team: Director, Customer Development, Shopper Marketing Manager, Category Manager, and Sales Marketing Manager.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various departments, including Creative, Finance, Operations, and Sales.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales Strategy and Execution

• Lead sales strategy and initiatives across various channels, including retail and foodservice.
• Develop omni-channel support strategies, such as social media, e-retail, in-store display, and media.
• Collaborate with sales leaders on key account strategy and execution. Attend customer buyer reviews.
• Plan and conduct quarterly sales meetings and partner with Sales Directors on the Annual Planning Process.
• Manage Retail and FS P&L for selling expenses and allocate funds for shopper marketing projects.
• Monitor sales performance, engage with sales teams, and support quarterly bonuses.
• Partner with operations and co-packing partners to own ready-to-display merchandising solutions e.g. quarter pallets, half pallets, shippers, etc.
• Own dealer loader strategy and execution [Sales Marketing Manager]
• Track customer scorecards, sales apps (Salesforce, Sengen, etc.), and promotional program performance and ensure field teams are equipped with data-backed selling strategies
• Oversee market research to monitor trends and competitor activities [Category Manager]

Marketing and Communication

• Lead shopper marketing partnerships and collaborations. [eg: Cause Marketing Partner, Agency, etc.]
• Oversee communication for promotions, product launches/sunsets, and in-store thematic and merchandising events. [Shopper Marketing Manager]
• Track customer promotional and display program performance, execution, and effectiveness, and work with RGM team to measure ROI [Shopper Marketing Manager]
• Develop impactful & data-driven selling presentations and assets for retail and foodservice meetings. [Category Manager]
• Collaborate on online sales strategies and monitor eRetail initiatives, including search, display, and other performance marketing tactics online. [eRetail and Ecomm team]
• Oversee Sales communication and content for online presence and company publications.
• Oversee quarterly sales marketing calls to review communication and tool updates, share sales best practices, and align on team objectives [Sales Marketing Manager]
• Manage tradeshows and events related to sales marketing [Sales Marketing Manager]

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Agility: Ability to anticipate market shifts and adjust trade/customer strategies accordingly.
• Influence & Collaboration: Skilled at aligning diverse stakeholders and driving outcomes across cross-functional teams.
• Results Orientation: Relentless focus on delivering revenue growth and profitability.
• Customer-Centric Mindset: Committed to creating value for customers while advancing company goals.
• Team Leadership: Proven ability to attract, retain, and grow top commercial talent.

WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field; MBA preferred 

• 10+ years of experience in sales, customer development, or trade/shopper marketing within the CPG industry 

• 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing sales or trade marketing teams 

• Proven success leading sales strategy across retail and foodservice channels 

• Strong experience with omnichannel selling: in-store, eRetail, social, and digital media 

• Expertise in trade spend management, P&L ownership, ROI analysis, and promotional strategy 

• Skilled in category management, shopper insights, and customer scorecard tracking 

• Proficient in Salesforce, Sengen, Excel; familiarity with tools like Looker or Tableau is a plus 

• Strong collaboration with cross-functional teams including Creative, Finance, Ops, and RGM  

• Excellent communication and presentation skills; confident in leading buyer meetings 

• Experience mentoring high-performing teams at Director and Manager levels 

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, remote-first environment 

• Authorized to work in the U.S.; willing to travel up to 25% 

COMPENSATION

• Base salary of $165,000-200,000, based on territory and experience. Actual salary offered may vary based on location and work experience. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
• Bonus Eligible
• Unlimited vacation
• Sick Days
• Up to 100% of the employee and dependent healthcare premiums are paid for by the company
• Life insurance/AD&D (company-paid and voluntary)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K (regular and Roth)
• Up to $150/month health and wellness reimbursement
• Up to $100 monthly towards your cell phone and $50 monthly towards Internet (if applicable)
• Employee Discount on Hint Water