Retail Development Specialist - Minneapolis, MN

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

     

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Working at Abbott

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, Glucerna® and Protality® – to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

· Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.

· Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.

· An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution · Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.

· A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

· A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Minneapolis, MN location in the Abbott Nutrition Division.

• Our Nutrition Division currently has an opportunity for a Retail Development Specialist on the Retail Sales Team. 
• The Retail Sales organization is accountable for the direct sales of the Division’s nutritional products to retailers, wholesalers, and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges.
• The Department generates over 70% of Divisional income with total dollars that exceed $3B annually Retail Sales supports Divisional business objectives and forges strong strategic business alliances with key retail customers.
• Category management, shopper marketing, technology, and the application of consistently strong business acumen are critical success factors.
• The Retail Development Program (RDP) provides high-potential entry-level Abbott Nutrition employees with the opportunity to gain skills and experiences through challenging assignments across multiples disciplines within Retail Sales.
• The RDP member's primary objective is to successfully complete two challenging rotational assignments that span a maximum of two-years.
• Each assignment will be 6-12 months in length and will be located in one of the following markets: Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Bentonville.

What You’ll Work On

• The first mandatory assignment is in Retail Operations.
• The objective of this position will be the merchandising/distribution of consumer and nutritional products to food, drug and mass merchandiser accounts within the defined geographic area and/or accounts as assigned.
• The RDP will develop their territory to increase off-shelf distribution and eliminate out-of-stocks, which will ultimately increase sales and establish productive account relationships.
• The second assignment area will vary with heavy focus on building strong analytical capabilities.
• Placement is earned through performance within each assignment.
• Accountable for consistent communication with Assignment Manager and Mentor.
• Regular interactions with team members and other members of the Retail sales force.
• Successful completion of assignments within timeframe specified.
• No department budget responsibility.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or B.A. degree required.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical ability and proven problem-solving skills.
• Good judgment, planning and organization skills, high work standards, energy, initiative, flexibility, and decisiveness.
• Experience in sales, marketing, sales operations, financial, customer service or information technology preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and email applications (Outlook).

Apply Now

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbe