What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Customer Development position at 80 Acres Farms?
At 80 Acres Farms, we're on a mission to change the way the world eats—and we're looking for people who want to help us do it.
We grow pesticide-free salads, herbs, microgreens, and salad kits in smart vertical farms that produce more food with far fewer resources—using up to 95% less water and renewable electricity, with no reliance on weather or seasons. Our produce is available in more than 17,000 retail locations nationwide, including Kroger, Whole Foods, HEB, and The Fresh Market, and reaches food service partners across the country year-round.
What makes this possible is a combination of people, technology, and purpose. Our proprietary growing platform, developed by our technology subsidiary, Infinite Acres, provides our teams with real-time data and control over every aspect of the growing environment—making our farms among the most advanced in the world. We operate commercial farms in Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Colorado, packhouses in Indiana, Virginia, and Washington, and research and development facilities in Arkansas, Israel, and the Netherlands.
We've grown significantly through the acquisitions of Kalera and Soli Organic, and we're just getting started.
If you're passionate about sustainability, food, and building something that matters, we'd love to have you on the team.
The Impact You'll Make
The Vice President, Customer Development will actively lead and deliver the revenue, trade budget, and strategy for a set of strategic accounts at 80 Acres Farms. This job will be integral in leading and building three-year competitive customer plans for accounts such as Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, and HEB. This role will lead development of our talent and create an inclusive and engaging environment where all employees can perform their best.
This role sits in proximity to segmented customers and blends strategy with hands-on leadership. You’ll report directly to the Chief Growth Officer and be a part of the 80 Acres commercial leadership team. The role of VP Customer Development will have 7 direct reports with varying roles and responsibilities across Account Management, Business analytics, and Customer Service. A key responsibility of this leader will be leveraging the team resources to create a best-in-class customer-facing organization.
You’ll also play a critical role in building strong leaders, boosting engagement, and proactively managing compliance and risk across multiple customers, making a visible impact on both people and performance.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Ensure the delivery of revenue and scorecard measures for 80 Acres Farms for assigned segmented accounts.
- Accountable for overall resource and budgetary management, to ensure profitable business growth via the achievement of specific revenue, market share, brand, pack and distribution targets.
- Accountable for talent management as well as talent development of team ensuring resources are aligned in a manner that leverages both 80 Acres Farms and customer strategies.
- Manage the collaborative relationship with segmented accounts that delivers customer satisfaction and fosters an environment to achieve 80 Acres Farms business plans.
- Develop and manage store format strategies, aligning the sales team as well as cross-functional resources/leaders to support execution and deployment of critical tactics and action plans.
- Provide critical customer input into 80 Acres Farms around the development of go-to-market (i.e. new item launches, trade deployment, pack creation, etc.) plans and activity sets. Help develop forecasts, and provide input on new product concepts, initiatives, and brand plans.
- Provide leadership around JBP collaborative planning, developing new approaches and processes that ensure better customer planning, input, and alignment as well as development of improved activity sets.
- Provide sales functional team leadership and provide voice of customer into the creation/execution of overall functional strategies/enablers, key initiatives, etc.
- Position must help represent the future and emerging needs of assigned customers, so 80 Acres Farms is in a better position to compete within our business segments.
- Provide direction and best practice leadership to 80 Acres within US.
- As a member of the Commercial Leadership Team, providing an overall strategic and tactical direction for the sales function.
- This role interacts and aligns across all functions of the organization to drive the proper customer channel strategies and education inclusive of Executive Leadership, Marketing Strategy & Planning, Sales Operations, and Customer Development peer set.
What You'll Bring
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business related field
- 10-15 years of business experience in CPG industries
- Experience across Sales, customer service, logistics, marketing services, and brand marketing or similar functions
- Ability to travel up to 30% - 40% of the time
Preferred qualifications:
- MBA or advanced degree or comparable experience a plus
- Top CPG customer experience
- Strong experience in customer and shopper differentiation
- Previous experience at the Senior Manager level
- Strong computer skills and systems literacy
- Solid understanding of industry and trade channels
At 80 Acres Farms, we believe taking care of our people is just as important as taking care of our plants. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your family, and your future.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance starting day one
- At least 2 weeks of paid vacation, plus a minimum of 40 hours of paid sick time
- 10 paid holidays
- Paid parental leave
- 401(k) with up to a 4% company match
- Company-paid life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Paid time off, sick time, and leave benefits are offered in accordance with state and local laws and may vary depending on where you work.
Our Hiring Commitment
80 Acres Farms is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. You’re defined by more than just your job title, and we want you to feel comfortable bringing your true self to work. We value your talents, your traditions, your take on the world, and everything else that makes you unique. We strive to be to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, stay, and do their best work.
80 Acres Farms participates in E-Verify. As required by law, your employment with the Company is contingent upon you providing legal proof of your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics. All candidates will be given the same consideration.