10427 Customer Sales Manager Kroger

Customer Sales Manager is responsible for leading Barcel USA’s strategic growth initiatives within assigned Kroger divisions (Cincinnati, Central, Columbus, Michigan & Roundy’s). This role is accountable for delivering volume and profit objectives, cultivating strong customer relationships, and driving execution of national and customer-specific programs. The individual will serve as the primary liaison between Barcel and Kroger, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic priorities while collaborating cross-functionally to optimize distributor performance and execution.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain productive, wiring, professional relationships with key decision-makers across assigned Kroger divisions.
• Lead customer negotiations and influence alignment with Barcel’s strategic account plans.
• Achieve annual sales targets and strategic objectives across all assigned brands and categories.
• Coordinate cross-functional resources to meet customer expectations and drive account performance.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of customer needs and lead solution development efforts.
• Deliver annual volume plans and proactively identify gaps through business trend analysis.
• Participate in annual planning and forecasting in collaboration with the National Account Team.
• Facilitate impactful customer business reviews using fact-based selling and performance insights.
• Drive execution of account programming through collaboration with divisional headquarters and operational sales teams.
• Lead growth initiatives by leveraging category insights and competitive trends.
• Develop tactical execution plans for key initiatives and ensure effective communication across stakeholders.
• Ensure promotional activities are supported with appropriate POS materials and incremental displays.
• Sell pricing programs using best practices and tools, customizing presentations to customer needs and evaluating ROI within company guardrails.
• Establish and maintain a “Wiring Model” to ensure consistent communication with all relevant customer contacts.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field; equivalent experience in sales within the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry preferred.
• Experience with Direct Store Delivery (DSD), third-party distributors, and warehouse go-to-market models.
• Proficiency in syndicated data tools such as IRI, Nielsen, and Retail Link.
• Demonstrated success in strategic joint business planning with regional and national retail accounts.
• Proven ability to influence internal and external stakeholders in a cross-functional environment.
• Skilled negotiator with experience engaging Category Buyers in the grocery retail sector.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Willingness to travel domestically 40–50%.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic mindset with a winning attitude and growth orientation.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Financial acumen, including understanding of P&L implications.
• Leadership capability with experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on results and execution.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Barcel USA LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, disability, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, reassignment, layoffs, discharge, education, training, and all other working conditions.