CUSTOMER BUSINESS MANAGER

Description

About Us:

For over 100 years, Hartz has been driven by one belief: pets make life better. That belief fuels our commitment to creating innovative, trusted products that strengthen the bond between pets and their families.

Our diverse team of passionate professionals continuously reimagine what pet care can be—working collaboratively to improve the wellbeing of pets everywhere. We’re proud to offer an inclusive, flexible workplace where employees are supported, valued, and empowered to grow.

At Hartz, the work you do matters—far beyond our walls. Join us and help shape the next chapter of pet care innovation.

What We Offer …

• Hybrid Work Schedule: Enjoy flexibility with 3 days in-office and 2 days remote.
• Pet-Friendly Culture: Bring your pet to work and enjoy a casual, inclusive environment.
• Competitive Compensation & Benefits: Receive a generous 401(k) match with immediate vesting.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy up to 34 paid days off annually. 
• Paid Leaves: Parental leave, Bereavement leave, and Military leave.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Healthcare FSA, and Mental Health EAP, basic Life insurance and Disability Insurance.
• Tuition Reimbursement & Career Growth: Access to tuition reimbursement and other learning and development opportunities.
• Employee Perks: Volunteer opportunities, fun employee events, and more!

The Role …

We're looking for an ambitious, results-oriented sales professional to grow a diverse portfolio of retail customers across International, Value, and Club channels. As a Key Account Manager, you'll play a critical role in shaping customer strategies, expanding distribution, and delivering profitable growth while strengthening Hartz's market presence.

You'll collaborate with customers, brokers, and internal partners to spot emerging trends, uncover new opportunities, and influence key business decisions. By turning insights into action and building trusted relationships, you'll help accelerate growth across strategic markets. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is required to support our customers and drive continued success throughout Latin America.

This position is located at our Secaucus, NJ corporate headquarters, with the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. 

Your Responsibilities …

Strategic Sales and Business Planning 

• Achieve sales targets for overall territory, customer and category within approved trade spend budget through negotiations with the buyer on sales and product placement. 
• Develop, monitor, and continually revise assigned accounts’ annual business plans.
• Analyze point of sale and other sales data; communicate trends, insights, and risks via performance reports to Hartz internal teams, and to accounts’ category/replenishment teams. Use data to update and adjust the customer business plan
• Identify opportunities for all category and line reviews on an ongoing basis, building a selling story to secure new business as well as increase existing distribution across all categories.
• Ensure that retail margins and promotions fall within the published brand strategy for all items and categories, including proper shelf position.
• Forecast customer events as required.

Account and Relationship Management 

• Build exceptionally strong relationships with key account stakeholders and brokers through consistent communication and meetings.
• Collaborate closely with internal Brand and Customer Planning teams and external partners to pinpoint significant opportunities within these key accounts. Develop and implement strategies and programs aimed at generating profitable and incremental sales.
• Understand and convey account strategies and goals to the internal Hartz team.
• Attend/participate in industry and customer events, trade/trade show events, and company sales/marketing meetings.

Operations and Administration 

• Effectively manage the administrative responsibilities, including price change forms, deductions, and selling and planning schedules.
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned.

Requirements

You’ll Need …

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in a Business-related discipline with 2+ years of direct sales experience (or 5+ years direct sales experience in lieu of degree), calling on regional or national retailer headquarters with a history of setting and delivering a growth agenda; experience with national Club or Value accounts a plus
• Bilingual Proficiency: Professional working proficiency in Spanish (verbal and written) required; proficiency in Portuguese is a plus
• Sales & Presentation Skills: Experience with category management, fact-based selling techniques (point of sale and syndicated data analysis), and the ability to create, develop, and present this information compellingly from scratch
• Negotiation Skills: Proven negotiation skills, demonstrated ability to finalize business, and expand current account list
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs
• Business Travel: Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (20%)