Market Development Leader II

Utz Quality Foods is seeking a Market Development Leader II to join our team in the Upper Manhattan area of New York. Under the direction of the Sales Operations Director (SOD), the MDL II partners with Independent Operators (IOs) and Master Distributors to achieve maximum sales profitability and market penetration using selling strategies and proactive communications. The MDL II informs IOs and distributors of the Company's initiatives for sales, service, merchandising standards, and product distribution.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate the Company's sales, service, and merchandising strategies to the IOs and distributors to ensure that proactive and professional relations with them are maintained and all are working toward the common interest of gaining market share.
• Ensure that the obligations and rights of both the Company IOs and Distributors are preserved; Spend time on the DC loading docks with the IOs to hear their concerns.
• Prepare weekly volume and inventory reports and KPI scorecards; provide a weekly Sales/IO Work-with planner to SOD.
• Facilitate ways to improve results of IOs and distributors by providing information on suggestions to grow market share: executing promotional ad activity, following store level planogram, delivering successful new product introductions, securing additional space, obtaining new points of interruption and building relationships at store level.
• Assist the MDL I and SOD in planning regularly scheduled workshop meetings in collaboration with the Sales Operations Director and the rest of the MDL team to encourage IOs and distributors to use all tools and mediums available to realize the full sales potential of their business.
• Conduct store visits in the assigned region to maintain open and proactive business relationships with the management teams of our customers and store decision makers, offering Company display concepts, seasonal planning tactics, and product promotions or introductions; and reinforcing that that the IOs and distributors, not the Company, invoice products to their stores.
• Use the Store Summary form to identify successes and opportunities to grow DSD sales as well as underperformance by the IOs. Working with the SOD, address IOs when they are not meeting the minimum service standards according to the contractual obligation that IOs owe Utz.
• Run an open route occasionally when the Company has bought a route back from an IO or distributor. Operate a motor vehicle, including a route box truck, safely.
• Salary range from $70,000-$80,000 and bonus eligible.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sales operations, preferably in snacks, grocery, or beverage industry. DSD experience is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of Independent Distribution models, including familiarity with Independent Operator/Distributor Agreements and the obligations and rights of both the Company and the Independent Distributor.
• Ethical selling and negotiation skills that can be shared with IOs and Distributors at their request.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail. Must have excellent organization skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
• Effective leadership, presentation, and communication skills to effectively convey insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Effective problem-identification and problem-solving skills.
• Effective business acumen and a strategic mindset.
• Valid driver's license and must possess or have the ability to obtain a DOT medical card.

External Recruitment Process

• Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
• Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
• Video Interview: Selected candidates will have an opportunity to participate in a video interview.
• Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.

Continuously Pursuing Excellence!

Here at Utz, we have a passion for food that our associates enjoy creating, our customers value selling, and our consumers love eating. Our renowned family of brands includes Utz, Zapp's, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. We provide a supportive, caring and inclusive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and advancement. We believe it is important to help take care of our associates by providing benefits, resources, and programs that ensure they live their healthiest lives. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer match 401k, profit sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan and much more. Join us and help us become the fastest growing pure-play U.S. snacking company of scale!

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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