Customer Development Manager at Colgate-Palmolive

Job Purpose

In this pivotal role, you'll be instrumental in driving budgeted sales and profit growth, shaping a sustainable and mutually prosperous business model, and spearheading innovation within one of our most critical accounts. This is a unique opportunity to directly influence our commercial success and make a tangible impact on our market position.

What you will achieve

• Drive Profitable Growth: Consistently exceed quarterly and annual net sales, margin, and profit targets by developing, implementing, and actively managing a dynamic Joint Business Plan with tailored commercial strategies
• Strategic Commercial Acumen: Leverage your sharp commercial instincts to deeply interrogate business performance, swiftly identify critical issues and untapped opportunities, and lead effective resolution and optimization initiatives.
• Retailer & Shopper Expert: Develop a profound understanding of the client's strategic imperatives and their shopper insights. You'll then expertly align our brands and strategic intents within this environment to maximize impact.
• Collaborative Planning Excellence: Partner closely with our Shopper Development and Category Management teams to construct high-performing, shopper-centric plans that are fully integrated into the Joint Business Plan, optimizing for category growth.
• Forecast & Financial Ownership: Take full ownership of collaborative planning with the clients, meticulously inputting and delivering accurate customer forecast volumes, sales, and investment. You'll expertly manage the 5P planning process and provide clear identification of risks and opportunities on a monthly cycle.
• Financial Stewardship: Ensure meticulous management of customer ledger, financial accruals, and rebates, collaborating seamlessly with AR and Finance departments for accurate activation and settlement.
• Shape the Future: Develop, communicate, and rigorously implement a forward-thinking 3-year retailer strategy that positions us for sustained leadership.
• Innovative Solutions: Work closely and creatively with our Retail Marketing and Brand Managers to identify, develop, and implement groundbreaking business solutions that propel the client's business forward.
• Expand Influence & Opportunity: Cultivate robust external networks to deepen customer engagement, gain unparalleled insights into the retailer landscape, and be at the forefront of identifying new business opportunities and mitigating challenges.
• Internal Advocacy & Collaboration: Build strong internal networks to elevate the profile and business focus for clients, ensuring seamless cross-functional support. You'll be a key contributor and team player within the Customer Development Team (CDT), actively shaping overall team strategy and daily operations to optimize collective performance.
• Strategic Impact Beyond the Account: Proactively champion and lead business development projects within the Customer Development function, directly influencing and driving the broader commercial strategy of our organization.

Who you are 

• A commercially astute leader with a proven track record of building robust, influential business relationships and delivering highly creative, profitable solutions.
• A bright, ambitious, and results-oriented individual with exceptional strategic thinking and negotiation prowess, relentlessly committed to achieving and exceeding business objectives.
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment, are adept at identifying growth levers, and possess the ability to translate complex data into actionable commercial strategies.