**Director, Customer Sales - East, Kroger at blithequark**

Are you a results-driven sales leader with a passion for building brands and driving business growth? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where innovation and teamwork are essential? If so, we invite you to join blithequark, a leading company in the sports and active hydration industry, as our Director, Customer Sales - East, Kroger. **About blithequark** blithequark is a fast-paced, dynamic environment where brand builders work together to become innovative game-changers in the world of sports and active hydration. Our entrepreneurial culture, backed by the resources and insights of one of the world's most iconic companies, The Coca-Cola Company, gives employees the ability to move quickly, exceed expectations, develop valuable relationships, and have fun while working to achieve our goal of becoming #1 in Sports Hydration. **Job Summary** As a Director, Customer Sales - East, Kroger, you will lead the blithequark business in collaboration with region sales and bottler teams to deliver business results across assigned territory. You will be responsible for leading annual division and bottler planning processes, negotiating annual agreements, and providing subject matter expertise to resolve complex customer issues. You will also partner with Sr. Management and cross-functional team members to build Annual Plans to achieve both short-term and long-term business objectives. **Responsibilities** * **Customer Development** + Strategic leader responsible for the oversight of the Kroger divisional relationship and bottler network in the East territory on behalf of blithequark. + Drive processes and execution of annual plans across assigned customers and bottlers. Delivery of key business and financial metrics, including topline results (Revenue, volume, Share) and key financial metrics (trade spend and T&E budgets), will be required. + Partner with Sr. Management and cross-functional team members to build Annual Plans to achieve both short-term and long-term business objectives. + Lead bottler and division plans ensuring an optimized partnership agreement is in place that supports overall organizational priorities. + Collaborative leader of our bottler teams responsible for the development and implementation of division customer selling stories, while providing key insights to deliver all key execution metrics (Assortment, Shelving, Pricing, Merchandising, and Innovation). + Oversee the on-going account updates and performance reporting against key metrics and problem-solve plan gaps and bring forward recommendations to deliver on required business objectives. + Strong data & insights knowledge and skills to assist in storytelling-type selling. * **System Leadership** + Participate in all system routines as needed (CCLT, Customer core Teams) to provide customer updates, including annual plan targets and elements, and on-going customer performance updates and action plans to deliver annual plans. + Work closely with Coca-Cola sales teams to maximize mutual goals, results, and execution. + Build and leverage relationships with both blithequark teams and Bottlers to ensure alignment and focus on delivering key customer objectives. * **Cross-Functional Communication and Collaboration** + Provides on-going updates on customer plan results and opportunities to blithequark management. + Participate in key cross-functional routines to provide on-going plan updates and ensure flawless execution of customer programs and initiatives. + Provide customer input to annual plans, including all Marketing, Commercial, and Innovation plans. * **Organizational Development** + Fully leverage all cross-functional resources to deliver best-in-class capabilities to customers, including selling stories, consumer and customer marketing, and insights, and revenue growth management plans. + Manage to annual T&E budget for department ensuring alignment with internal financial objectives. **Requirements** * Bachelor's Degree or relevant experience required * 8 years direct sales experience in the CPG industry and hold a track record of successfully selling into multiple national and regional channel customers required * Eastern US location in Kroger market required * Recent Kroger experience preferred * DSD beverage background preferred * Must be self-motivated and highly organized with a strong desire to produce results with an entrepreneurial spirit to succeed. * Must be able to quickly assess the needs of the business, develop an action plan, and manage the required change. The ability to effectively intermingle with a wide variety of business professionals is essential. * Must have a passion for building brands, new products, and long-term growth. * Must have a verifiable list of current contacts with appropriate buyers & divisional managers. * Solid computer skills in Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. Strong understanding and analytical skills in understanding of Nielsen/IRI syndicated data. * Position requires substantial travel (40-50% of time in Kroger East territory) by car and plane, including both local and neighboring geographic territories. * Must hold and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to drive long distances. * Motor Vehicle Records must satisfy Company standards per Driving Policy. **Skills** * Direct Selling * Results-Oriented * Consumer Trends * Key Performance Indicators (KPI) * Business Results * Consumer Segmentation * Competitor Analysis * Data Insights * Entrepreneurship * Sales * Customer Sales **What We Offer** * Competitive salary and bonus structure * Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance * 401(k) matching program * Paid time off and holidays * Opportunities for professional growth and development * Collaborative and dynamic work environment * Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance **How to Apply** If you are a results-driven sales leader with a passion for building brands and driving business growth, we invite you to apply for the Director, Customer Sales - East, Kroger position at blithequark. Please submit your resume and cover letter to [insert contact information]. We look forward to hearing from you! Apply for this job