Customer Development Manager

Role Overview

We are seeking an accomplished and highly strategic Customer Development Manager to lead the delivery of budgeted top- and bottom-line sales objectives across defined customers within assigned channels. This role requires a results-driven sales professional with strong account management skills, analytical capability, and deep familiarity with the CPG food industry.

The Customer Development Manager will establish strategies and tactics that drive short-, mid-, and long-term growth, while collaborating cross-functionally to ensure the Company remains a partner of choice.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Sr. Director of Sales and internal stakeholders to drive branded and private label business in the assigned territory.

• Manage relationships with key accounts, including H-E-B, Brookshire Grocery, and Topco, aligning with customer strategic plans.

• Cultivate and define future innovation opportunities with customers in both existing and new categories/segments.

• Manage and develop broker partners, including brand education, objective setting, trade promotion planning, and performance evaluation.

• Effectively manage sales spending (Trade, T&E, SG&A) within guidelines while maximizing promotional effectiveness.

• Build deep expertise in the Company’s extensive product portfolio across all dayparts.

• Provide timely insights on customer and market trends, along with action plans to address changes.

• Partner with R&D, Marketing, and Innovation teams to deliver customized product development and breakthrough innovation.

• Develop sales strategies and plans that differentiate the Company as a preferred partner and drive profitable growth.

• Communicate regularly with internal teams including Marketing, R&D, QA, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Operations, Purchasing, and Finance.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.

• 5–10 years of progressive experience managing National and Regional Grocery/Club/Mass customers within the food industry.

• Experience in food manufacturing; basic understanding of plant operations a plus.

• Ability to travel as required for customer development and internal Company meetings.

Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and related applications.

• Proven track record of growing revenue and profit through strategic account management.

• Strong trade promotion and broker management experience.

• Ability to develop and execute highly effective strategies and plans that achieve business growth targets.

• Experience with both branded and private label environments.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Strong financial acumen, including the ability to interpret and manage P&L metrics.

• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with strong relationship-building skills.

• Ability to prioritize projects, influence stakeholders (including executives), and communicate effectively across multiple departments.

This role offers the opportunity to combine strategic leadership, customer collaboration, and innovation to drive significant growth within a leading food company.