National Accounts Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Michigan.

📋 Description

• Act as the main sales leader and relationship steward for Meijer.

• Foster and enhance partnerships with Meijer merchandising teams to promote shared growth.

• Represent Heartland’s brand portfolio with assurance, credibility, and a focus on growth.

• Create and implement annual Joint Business Plans that align with Heartland’s growth, profitability, and brand development goals.

• Spearhead assortment, pricing, merchandising, and promotional strategies to increase distribution and household penetration.

• Advocate for innovation and new product launches, ensuring alignment with customer needs and impeccable execution.

• Take ownership of volume, trade spending, and profitability objectives for Meijer.

• Oversee promotional planning, display strategies, and in-store/online execution with merchandising teams.

• Deliver precise forecasting and demand inputs to maintain high service levels and efficient inventory management.

• Leverage syndicated data, including Circana/IRI and Nielsen, along with customer insights to pinpoint category opportunities and facilitate data-driven selling.

• Collaborate with customer merchandising teams to enhance shelf placement, promotional ROI, and execution quality.

• Convert data into clear, persuasive narratives that support brand and category expansion.

• Directly manage and mentor one Key Account Manager.

• Establish priorities, offer feedback, and encourage professional growth.

• Serve as Meijer’s internal advocate, aligning marketing, R&D, supply chain, finance, and operations.

• Collaborate with marketing and category management to implement customer-focused brand strategies.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA is advantageous.

• More than 7 years of CPG sales or customer leadership experience.

• Direct experience engaging with Meijer is essential.

• Established connections with Meijer merchandising teams.

• Strong grasp of grocery retail, trade management, and category management.

• Demonstrated history of achieving profitable growth.

• Prior experience in people management or proven readiness to lead.

• Experience in managing branded food or beverage portfolios is preferred.

• Strong analytical skills and financial acumen.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented, matrixed organization.

🏝️ Benefits

• Leadership responsibility for one direct report.

• Support for the professional development of the Key Account Manager.

• A collaborative, high-performance team culture.