Customer Development Manager - Blue Buffalo Canada

OVERVIEW The Customer Development Manager – Grocery will lead the development and execution of the go to market strategy for Blue Buffalo in the Grocery Channel and the respective customers within it. In this role, you will gain exposure across multiple levels of leadership both internally as well as externally with leading grocery retailers. You will need to leverage your strong influential leadership, previous retailer experience & cross-functional expertise to set strategies that enable both BLUE and our current/potential customers to win. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate excellent strategic thinking, exceptional negotiation skills, as well as someone who can flawlessly execute, drive a culture of inclusion, and deliver personal accountability. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES SELLING EXPERTISE & LEADERSHIP • Works closely with Internal and External partners to understand & educate on customer strategies/ priorities/ tactics/ policies • Aligns analytics, customer strategy and trade strategies to build an annual merchandising plan for their category/customer • Lead JBP process at grocery accounts & negotiations while accelerating BLUE’s long-term strategies • Identify new accounts and routes to market to expand the grocery category EXECUTIONAL EXCELLENCE • Develop and implement winning customer strategies that drive sales and deliver profitable growth to achieve targets • Lead event execution from initial opportunity through to final event (external concept/opportunity sell-in, participating items, consumer/customer offer, POS execution, SPPK confirmation, retail feedback) • Own and manage trade investment budgets across customers within grocery and consistently evaluate ROI • Partner with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, Category/Insights, etc.) and our national retail team to maximize in-store presence and consumer impact • Completes requirements for account(s) i.e. deal sheets, promotional executions, customer presentation decks inclusive of new product innovation reviews PROBLEM SOLVING & ANALYTICS • Analyze and summarize key business learnings and sales trends back to the BLUE Business • Identify customer-specific strategic initiative opportunities, leveraging analytics and financial acumen to operationalize both internally and externally. • Integrate customer data and knowledge of BLUE Buffalo’s strategies to make promotional and assortment recommendations • Unlock efficiencies through process improvement and promotional analysis ENGAGING LEADER • Model Engaging Leader behaviors to foster an inclusive environment and embrace a learning mindset and demonstrate personal accountability REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Must be a Pet enthusiast! • Bachelor’s Degree required and a minimum of 3-5 years of Key Account management experience with tier 1 (Loblaw, Sobey’s, Walmart) retailers • Experience working in a matrixed/cross-functional organization with partners in Finance, Marketing, Legal, Supply Chain and Sales and possess the talent to interface directly and effectively with all levels within the organization • Proven track record of new business development and flawless execution of strategies at store level • Strong analytical skills and experience aggregating internal and external data sources (e.g., Nielsen) of information to build an influential selling story • Advanced strategic thinking, planning, financial management, decision-making, and negotiation skills • High-level learning agility and ability to adapt quickly to changing demands and needs of the business • Able to travel occasionally, 10% overnight travel and some weekend work • Must be able to lift up to 30lbs • Strong sales, planning, organization, leadership, teamwork skills and proficient in software packages (Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint) PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Preferred 5+ years of national account experience with sales, marketing, category management, shopper/ consumer insights, customer-facing account management, analytics, and/or trade funding • Proficiency with retailer internal systems and processes – RetailLink, IRI, LDIA, GS1, etc • Pet Category & Key Account Experience • Preference for location in Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada