Senior Business Development Manager

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

📋 Description

• Cultivate and enhance relationships with merchants, category managers, and leadership at Kroger and Harris Teeter, positioning Kinder’s as a partner for category growth that aligns with Kroger’s Customer 1st strategy.

• Create and implement Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that achieve Kroger scorecard metrics, same store sales, share growth, household penetration, and profitability.

• Utilize insights from 84.51°, Kroger Plus shopper data, and loyalty analytics to pinpoint opportunities and develop customer-specific growth strategies.

• Construct persuasive, data-driven selling narratives using syndicated data (Circana/IRI/Nielsen) alongside Kroger-specific insights to sway assortment, shelving, and promotional choices.

• Oversee assortment optimization and item authorization processes, identifying gaps and expanding Kinder’s distribution through innovative item presentations.

• Collaborate with Kroger teams to implement digital-first strategies, including Kroger.com, pickup & delivery, and Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM) activation.

• Manage sales forecasting by spearheading promotional planning and execution within Kroger systems, encompassing trade promotion management (TPM), event planning, forecast alignment, and post-promotion ROI analysis.

• Oversee trade investment across Kroger and Harris Teeter, ensuring effective allocation of billbacks, scan funding, and shopper marketing resources.

• Achieve top-tier in-store execution by influencing planograms (POGs), displays, secondary placements, and seasonal merchandising events.

• Lead off-shelf programs, including shippers, pallets, and cross-merchandising initiatives in line with Kroger’s merchandising calendar.

• Work cross-functionally with Kinder’s marketing, supply chain, finance, and insights teams to ensure seamless execution and support for Kroger-specific initiatives.

• Track performance against Kroger KPIs, proactively addressing risks and opportunities while implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Conduct line reviews, category reviews, and top-to-top presentations supported by Kroger-specific insights and shopper data.

• Support and promote alignment with Kroger initiatives such as Our Brands collaboration, personalization, and eCommerce growth.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.

• Over 10 years of experience in CPG sales or customer leadership, with direct experience at Kroger and/or Harris Teeter is essential.

• Comprehensive understanding of Kroger systems and tools, including 84.51°, Stratum, KPM, and retailer portals.

• A proven history of achieving results based on Kroger-specific KPIs.

• Extensive expertise in category management, shopper insights, and trade promotion within Kroger’s operating model.

• Demonstrated success in navigating Kroger’s matrixed merchandising organization.

• Strong analytical and financial skills, with the ability to convert Kroger data into actionable insights.

• Experience collaborating with brokers who support Kroger divisions and Harris Teeter.

• Exceptional communication and storytelling abilities, with the capability to influence at multiple organizational levels.

• Proven leadership skills, with experience in people management or readiness to take on a leadership role.

• A strong sense of ownership, a proactive approach, adaptability, and a focus on results.

• Willingness to travel up to 20%.

🏝️ Benefits

• Paid time off

• 401k

• Bonus/incentive eligibility

• Equity grants

• Competitive health benefits

• Parental leave