Foster Farms has been a family-owned and operated company for four generations. Since our founding days back in 1939, we have always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. The hope is that our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our people will shine through in everything we do.

We are always looking for talented individuals to join the Foster Farms team. We offer the experience of a large organization, but operate like a family business. More than half of our job openings are filled by internal promotion, and we encourage employees to gain a variety of experiences across different functional groups.

OVERVIEW: 

The Customer Development Manager position is responsible for delivering sales and profit goals for Foster Farms’ frozen and packaged platforms at Kroger.  Additionally this position supports the Kroger Team Lead in the task of Fresh Chicken promotion forecasting.  This position will be home based in Cincinnati, OH.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Identifies Kroger’s key initiatives and develops/executes an appropriate Foster Farms’ action plan. Sets and communicates customer priorities, and collaborates with Foster Farms cross-functional team members to achieve desired results.

Collaborates with Kroger Category Managers to develop effective annual promotion plans.  Utilizes strong analytics to establish the most profitable and effective plan.  Reconciles plan throughout year to maintain a view of actual and forecasted performance. 

Lead the Kroger CCO category planning process as necessary.

Measures, monitors and evaluates customer performance vs objectives on an on-going basis.  Makes appropriate adjustments or changes as needed.

Cultivate and build strong customer business relationships with key decision makers and influencers.

Develops the fresh chicken promotion forecast utilizing historical trends and collaboration discussions with Kroger buyers, Kroger sales planners and Foster Farms Kroger Team Leader.

Work closely with the internal Innovation Team to ensure effective new item launches.  Lead innovation and marketing team members in development of “1-pagers” and Kroger’s new item template.  Ensure internal innovation and marketing teams are aligned with all Kroger Kompass schedules.

Incorporates “Stratum Data” to develop and deliver sales presentations to support the following Foster Farms’ initiatives:

·        Unseen category growth opportunities; i.e. incremental sku’s, improved promotions, category product voids, pricing improvements, aligning products with unique shopper segments, etc.

·        Foster Farms’ new innovation sell-in; i.e. segmentation fit, incremental volume sources, value to Kroger shopper groups, market basket changes, etc.

·        Unseen Foster Farms product performance and cost improvements; i.e. forecasting, promotion evaluation and execution, shelf positioning, out-of-stocks, distribution voids, supply chain performance, etc.

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

5-10 years retail sales headquarter account experience with food/CPG organization

Strong analytic skills; including advanced excel, category management and trade promotion analysis

Success in applying Stratum (8451/Market6) insights to business development.

Demonstrates resourcefulness in getting things accomplished and solving problems with a sense of urgency.

Proficient with Microsoft office, TPM/SAP, syndicated IRI and account specific data

Strong strategic planning, negotiation, interpersonal and communications skills

Demonstrated ability to multi-task and set priorities.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Foster Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Females, Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Foster Farms participates in E-Verify during the hire process at all locations for all new employees.