Director of Sales - Meijer/Hyvee

BODYARMOR is a fast paced, dynamic environment where brand builders work together with the goal of becoming the number one sports drink! Extreme passion and teamwork are the essentials of being a successful member of the BODYARMOR team. BODYARMOR builds camaraderie amongst co-workers, and helps develop valuable relationships, with common goals in mind. BODYARMOR exudes an entrepreneurial culture combined with the resources and insight of one of the world’s most iconic companies, The Coca-Cola Company, which acquired BODYARMOR in 2021. This unique environment gives people the ability to go above and beyond expectations, multi-task, meet deadlines, and have fun accomplishing goals.

BODYARMOR is looking for a Director Customer Sales, Meijer and Hy-Vee to join our team.

The Director Customer Sales, Meijer and Hy-Vee will lead a cross functional team to deliver business results across assigned territory. As a key leader within BODYARMOR, this individual will be required to lead annual planning processes and negotiate annual agreements to ensure alignment and execution to achieve aggressive business targets. This individual will provide subject matter expertise to resolve complex customer issues and deliver BASN annual goals.  This individual will also manage two direct reports.  These two direct reports manage the Kroger East and West division call points.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Development

• Strategic leader responsible for the oversight of the Meijer and Hy-Vee customer relationship on behalf of BASN.
• Also responsible for the fuel center business related to each chain (Meijer Express and Fast and Fresh).
• Drive processes and execution of annual plans across assigned customers and bottlers. Delivery of key business and financial metrics including topline results (Revenue, volume, Share) and key financial metrics (trade spend and T&E budgets) will be required.
• Partner with Sr. Management and cross functional team members to build Annual Plans to achieve both short-term and long-term business objectives.
• Lead annual negotiations ensuring an optimized partnership agreement is in place that supports overall organizational priorities.
• Collaborative leader of a cross functional team responsible for the development and implementation of overall customer selling stories, while providing key insights to deliver all key execution metrics (Assortment, Shelving, Pricing, Merchandising and Innovation).
• Oversee the on-going account updates and performance reporting against key metrics and problem solves plan gaps and brings forward recommendations to deliver on required business objectives.
• Oversee & complete administrative duties required by the customer (contracts, new item forms, etc.)
• Strong data & insights knowledge and skills to assist in storytelling type selling

System Leadership

• Participate in all system routines as needed (CCLT, Customer core Teams) to provide customer updates including annual plan targets and elements and on-going customer performance updates and action plans to deliver annual plans.
• Work closely with Coca-Cola sales teams to maximize mutual goals, results, and execution
• Build and leverage relationships with both BASN teams and Bottlers to ensure alignment and focus on delivering key customer objectives. 

Cross Functional Communication and Collaboration

• Provides on-going updates on customer plan results and opportunities to BodyArmor management.
• Participate in key cross functional routines to provide on-going plan updates and ensure flawless execution of customer programs and initiatives.
• Provide customer input to annual plans including all Marketing, Commercial and Innovation plans. 

Organizational Development

• Fully leverage all cross functional resources to deliver best in class capabilities to customers including selling stories, consumer and customer marketing and insights and revenue growth management plans.
• Coach and mentor team, direct reports & support staff, providing subject matter expertise on customer needs ensuring the team is supported and the required resources are in place to support overall business priorities.
• Manage to annual T&E budget for department ensuring alignment with internal financial objectives.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelors Degree or relevant experience required
• 8 years direct sales experience in the CPG industry and hold a track record of successfully selling into multiple national and regional channel customers required
• Located in Michigan, Chicago, or Des Moines preferred.
• Recent Hy-Vee and/or Meijer experience preferred
• DSD beverage background preferred
• Must be self-motivated and highly organized with a strong desire to produce results with an entrepreneurial spirit to succeed.
• Must be able to quickly assess the needs of the business, develop an action plan & manage the required change. the ability to effectively intermingle with a wide variety of business professionals is essential.
• Must have a passion for building brands, new products, and long-term growth.
• Must have a verifiable list of current contacts with appropriate buyers & divisional managers.
• Solid computer skills in Outlook, Power Point, Excel, and Word.  Strong understanding and analytical skills in understanding of Nielsen/IRI syndicated data.
• Position requires substantial travel (40-50%) by car and plane, including both local and neighboring geographic territories.
• Must hold and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to drive long distances
• Motor Vehicle Records must satisfy Company standards per Driving Policy