Customer Manager Associate

The Customer Manager Associate will cover the territory & surrounding area they are hired for in a given market. This position reports to the Retail Sales Manager or Senior Customer Manager.  Develops relationships with store managers/personnel to achieve directed short and long-term performance objectives at assigned stores within a geographic territory. Activities center on wall-to-wall sales coverage including new item speed-to-shelf, schematic compliance, item and pricing surveys, promotion selling and product merchandising, resulting in incremental sales volume. Associate CMs have same selling duties as others in the job family for less complex small and midsize retailers.

Preferred locations for applicants to reside in: Minneapolis, MN, Rochester, MN, and anywhere in south or central Minnesota area

• Sells promotional programs for displays at independent natural retailers purchasing from distributors.

• Sells incremental quantities for display and TPR based on OI programs through the distributors.
• Develops relationships with store managers and buyers through impeccable communication and follow through.
• Obtains distribution and placement of client new items at independent natural retailers through distributors such as UNFI and/or Kehe.
• Identifies and corrects voids.
• Merchandises manufacturer’s products to obtain best possible shelf placement
• Attends retailer resets when requested.
• Completes audits and pricing surveys in stores as requested.
• Communicates competitive and market activity to management.
• Utilizes supplied technology to report on results.
• Sets and reviews performance against objectives with Sales Manager.

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent work experience
• Sales experience
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and sales skills with the ability to work effectively with team members, peers, management and external customer contacts.
• Home space to store samples that are readily accessible and securely stored.
• Basic Office (Outlook, Excel) functionality comprehension required and proficient in managing Outlook e-mail and calendar, as well as Excel basic workbooks.
• Must have a valid driver's license, proof of current auto insurance and be able to drive a car for extended periods of time.

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Acosta is a part of Acosta Group – a collective of the industry’s most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey. Specializing in retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence, Acosta empowers brands to thrive in the world of omnichannel shopping. Our sales and digital teams build lasting relationships, ensuring our client brands get the space they deserve in stores and outperform the competition online, while our merch reps make brands shine in retail locations across the world. But it’s not just about what we do – it’s about who we are. With a team of over 20,000 associates, we’re a community of forward-thinking, value-driven professionals committed to an unmatched level of trust and transparency in the industry. And, we understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why many of our field roles provide our associates with flexible scheduling options. Join us and be a part of a team that values growth and making a real impact for our clients, retail partners and their customers. Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact AskHR@acosta.com. Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request. Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting. The Acosta Group utilizes E-Verify for validating the ability to work in the United States for all job candidates. If you want more information on what this entails and your rights as a job applicant, please use the link provided to access information on our use of E-Verify and your right to work. Employer Resources (e-verify.gov) By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use. #DiscoverYourPath