Client Development Manager

The Client Development Manager – Serves as the primary point of contact to Acosta clients. Partner with the key account managers, field account managers to coordinate a strategic and creative development plan, media plans and tactical execution (may include merchandising and other retail objectives) for client's brand(s) as they relate to consumer marketing efforts. Facilitate the communication, presentation and creation of promotional campaigns that meet client's sales and marketing objectives. Seek to find available funding through brand or trade in order to drive consumer initiatives that deliver mutually beneficial results for our clients and Acosta.

Essential Functions of this Position:

• Proactively seek opportunities for Acosta through the selling of services to prospective clients.
• Build relationships with all marketing functions and appropriate sales and headquarter functions of clients. This includes visits to client headquarters and participation in marketing planning meetings (when applicable).
• Communicate/recommend solutions to consumer marketing issues, to team leader, divisional executive vice president, general managers, national director of marketing, and client's senior management.
• Facilitates communication among employees and management; may guide managers and employees on problem solving, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and litigation avoidance.
• Enhance the expansion of Acosta special initiatives like Aisles of Smiles and Believe in Heroes.
• Share best practices from one market/region to another to maximize event's sales potential.
• When needed, secure consumer research (such as Spectra) and category analysis (Asset Knowledge Suite) to support or validate marketing plans. Coordinate analysis for director of category management and/or senior category development managers. This may include analysis of spending versus incremental sales volume, client scorecards, category, brand and account information, syndicated data reports.
• Recommend most effective media and retail execution strategy and tactics.
• Communicate and coordinate all retail initiatives.
• Work on special projects as requested.
• May travel up to 30% of time.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science Degree

Experience Requirement (i.e. 5 yrs. category mgmt. or 3 yrs. food brokerage):

• Five or more years in consumer packaged goods industry or in advertising or promotional agency

Knowledge, Skill and Ability Requirements:

• Self-motivated; self starter; strong leadership and management ability.
• Strong presentation skills and interpersonal skills.
• Thorough understanding of core advertising and marketing functions; creative developments, brand management, media buying, post-promotional analysis, financial ramifications.
• Broker, manufacturer, advertising agency, and promotional agency understanding of roles and functions.
• Be able to prioritize multiple demands (retailer, manufacturer, Acosta) simultaneously and influence Associates for results.
• Broker, manufacturer, advertising agency, and promotional agency understanding of roles and functions.
• Possess the business acumen to effectively interpret various financial reports to manage operating results and control financial position; strategically incorporate findings to positively impact top and bottom lines.
• Experience working with revenue accounting concepts, i.e., revenue generated against cost, cost of sale, etc.
• Assertive, creative, team player and proven sense of urgency.
• Proficiency with computers including in-depth knowledge of Microsoft suite of products, especially PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and a working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, etc..
• Must have a valid driver's license.