Strategic Account Manager - Natural Channel (Whole Foods & Sprouts)

Strategic Account Manager – Natural Channel (Whole Foods Sprouts)

Location: Remote / TX or AZ preferred

Website: www.peaklignpartners.com

About Peaklign Partners

Peaklign Partners is a high-growth, deeply collaborative CPG sales, retail strategy, and business development firm partnering with innovative food, beverage, wellness, and lifestyle brands. We work with both emerging and established companies to scale distribution, strengthen retail partnerships, optimize category strategy, and accelerate overall business performance. We act as an extension of the brands we represent—driving strategy, selling in new opportunities, executing launches, building category plans, and managing the day-to-day retail relationship. Our culture is grounded in integrity, collaboration, curiosity, ownership, and a commitment to delivering results. If you love building brands, unlocking growth, and partnering closely with retailers across the natural channel, this role is for you.

Purpose of the Position

This role is responsible for building business, driving distribution, and developing strong partnerships with Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and key natural-channel distributors/brokers. This role plays a central part in leading growth strategy, selling in innovation, managing promotional planning, and supporting Peaklign’s client partners in scaling effectively across the natural channel.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Growth & Strategic Leadership

• Represent Peaklign’s brand partners with excellence, professionalism, and a strategic mindset.
• Build credibility and strong relationships across retailers, brokers, and distributors.
• Develop and manage joint business plans with Whole Foods and Sprouts, aligned to brand and category strategies.
• Identify and pursue distribution expansion and whitespace opportunities.
• Drive strategic planning to meet or exceed revenue and distribution goals across all assigned accounts.

Business Planning & Forecasting

• Own bottoms-up forecasting for accounts, ensuring accuracy and alignment in S&OP and supply planning.
• Monitor sales trends and competitive movement, proactively identifying opportunities or risks.
• Influence retailer decision-making through data, insights, and category intelligence.

Customer Selling, Execution & Activation

• Develop customer-specific presentations and sell in innovation, pricing, and promotional strategies.
• Partner with Category Management to execute optimal shelving, merchandising, and assortment recommendations.
• Build customer-specific programs that drive velocity, trial, and sustainable growth.
• Collaborate with brand marketing teams on in-store and digital activations.

Trade Spend Management

• Manage trade spend and adhere to assigned budgets.
• Follow all trade compliance, deduction management, and payment support processes.
• Evaluate ROI on promotional activity and partner with teams to optimize plans.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicate account performance, opportunities, risks, and action plans to internal and brand teams.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews with accounts and share monthly updates internally.
• Partner closely with brokers—aligning on KPIs, quarterly reviews, and execution goals.

Leadership & Culture

• Bring a high level of ownership to the role—treating accounts as if they were your own business.
• Maintain a positive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented approach.
• Foster a culture of partnership, agility, and continuous improvement.

Travel

• Approximately 50% travel required (customer visits, trade shows, broker meetings, store checks, etc.).

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 6 years of progressive CPG sales/account management experience, ideally with exposure to natural and better-for-you brands.
• Strong experience working with Whole Foods and/or Sprouts a significant plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong presentation, negotiation, and selling skills.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Strong organizational skills and time-management capabilities.
• Ability to analyze business data and financials to inform decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and sales-related tools/apps.
• Resourceful, resilient, adaptable, and highly self-motivated.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and a track record of delivering results.
• Comfortable navigating category data (SPINS, NIQ/IRI, etc.).

What We Expect at Peaklign

• Values-led mindset: Integrity, collaboration, and accountability drive everything we do.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: We move fast, build as we grow, and embrace continuous improvement.
• Curiosity & initiative: Speak up, share ideas, and help shape Peaklign’s growth.
• Team-first approach: We win together—no egos, no silos.
• Ownership mentality: Treat your accounts and brands like your own business.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based bonus
• Health insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Professional development support
• Collaborative, flexible work environment
• Opportunities to work with high-growth and high-potential brands