Customer Development Manager

At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.

We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands: Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s™ Organic Snacks, Golden Island®, BiFi®, Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few, there’s nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it.

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.

The Customer Development Manager is responsible for growing and developing the total Jack Link’s sales and profitability across identified customers (specifically HEB, Brookshires, Brookshire Brothers, Schnucks, Save A Lot, WINCO) by implementing detailed strategic sales plans for these customers.  This position will require working closely with key customers and internal departments such as trade planning, marketing, and category management as well as various brokers that represent Jack Link’s.  

The ideal candidate will live in Texas but can manage remotely with minimum quarterly travel to market.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Achieve top and bottom-line sales and profit goals.

• Build strong customer relationships.

• Develop solid DSMP (Distribution, Shelving, Merchandising, Pricing) plans that drive category growth.

• Understand customer strategy and align to annual business plans that meet growth expectations.

• Develop 1–3-year strategic customer plans by segment.

• Provide transparent and timely communication to internal team members and customers/brokers.

• Develop plans for channel-specific business opportunities focused on expanding Jack Link’s in-store presence.

• Responsible for analyzing customer data and developing an action plan to achieve sales goals.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Trade Marketing, Research & Development) in creating both short and long-term category and channel strategies.

• Create and present information in a compelling and persuasive manner.

• Effectively wire relationships throughout customer organizations and at various levels internally at Jack Link’s including Executive Management, Operations, Supply Planning, and Marketing.

• Manage deduction and AR issues on all applicable accounts.

• Responsible for building, training and leading broker network where applicable.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• 5+ years of CPG experience within the industry. HEB specific experience preferred.

• 3+ years of direct sales experience.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to influence.

• Solid Excel skills.

• Ability to keep up in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

The pay range for this role is $120,000 - $145,000 (Annual). Actual wage will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Link Snacks Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Link Snacks provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The Team Member is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms and lift for extended periods while conducting store audits, setting up promotional displays, or attending trade shows. Must be able to regularly lift, carry, and maneuver 25 or more pounds of product cases, display materials, and sales supplies during retail visits and industry events. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work from a dedicated home office, utilizing modern digital collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom) to maintain seamless communication. Partner closely with remote Sales Managers overseeing other retail channels (such as Mass, Grocery, and Convenience) to share consumer insights, align pricing guardrails, and implement cohesive national brand campaigns.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Link Snacks provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Link Snacks is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.