**Experienced Customer Manager - Natural Products - Remote Opportunity in Ohio**

Are you a dynamic and results-driven professional with a passion for driving sales and market share growth in the natural products industry? Do you have a proven track record of achieving sales objectives and building strong relationships with customers and principals? If so, we invite you to join our team at blithequark as a Customer Manager and take charge of managing our principals' business within designated customer accounts. **About blithequark** blithequark is a leading provider of retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence solutions to the natural products industry. With a team of over 20,000 associates, we're a community of forward-thinking, value-driven professionals committed to an unmatched level of trust and transparency in the industry. Our mission is to empower brands to thrive in the world of omnichannel shopping, and we're looking for talented individuals like you to join our team. **Key Responsibilities** As a Customer Manager at blithequark, you will be responsible for achieving sales goals, developing strategic plans, and building strong relationships with customers and principals. Your key responsibilities will include: * Achieving sales goals: Deliver principals' objectives, including volume and sales fundamentals such as merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving goals at the assigned customers, all at the lowest cost. * Strategic planning: Develop a comprehensive Customer Business Plan that aligns with the principals' business priorities and drives long-term success. * Client engagement: Personally call on all decision-makers at the customer to present and sell business plans, programs, and concepts that enhance business results. * Cost management: Achieve results at the lowest possible selling cost while maximizing company revenue through brokerage, commissions, bonuses, contest earnings, and more. Oversee all manufacturers' expenditures at the customer. * In-store presence: Ensure a competitively superior in-store presence in the assigned stores by calling on headquarters, supervisors, and other customer operations personnel for both direct and indirect customers. * Trade marketing: Manage manufacturers' trade marketing funds, process direct shipments via the Sales Support Coordinator, and leverage data to sell concepts to the customer. * Budget adherence: Operate within the designated budget, ensuring efficient use of resources. * Proactive communication: Maintain open lines of communication with key principals to ensure alignment and collaboration. * Retail initiatives: Collaborate with Retail Sales Managers on major retail initiatives, including new product introductions, selling drives, and contests. * Market knowledge: Utilize your knowledge of the customer, market, and principal to involve marketing, technology, and administrative resources in achieving objectives. * Timely information sharing: Provide timely information on selling priorities to Retail Sales Managers, supervisors, and shared resources in marketing, technology, and administration. * Team collaboration: Share information and customer/principal insights with team members to build organizational capacity and drive collective success. * Technology utilization: Utilize computer systems and technology to achieve the objectives of the Customer Business Plan and continuously develop and maintain skill levels to support the use of blithequark communication systems. * Feedback and improvement: Provide feedback to the Team Leader and/or General Manager on ways to build organizational capacity and improve business operations. * Special projects: Complete special projects as requested, contributing to the overall success of the team. **Essential Qualifications** To be successful in this role, you will need: * A Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent work experience. * A minimum of six months of relevant experience in retail (CPG industry), marketing, space management, and/or resets. Sales administration or finance experience is preferred. * Expertise in Microsoft software, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook, along with thorough knowledge of web-based applications. * Excellent presentation and communication skills. * Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with strong organizational skills. **Preferred Qualifications** While not required, the following qualifications would be beneficial: * Experience in the natural products industry. * Knowledge of trade marketing and in-store promotions. * Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software. * Experience with data analysis and reporting. **Physical Requirements** This role requires: * Seeing * Color Perception * Lifting (50 – lbs.) * Ability to Travel * Listening * Pushing/Pulling * Carrying (20 – lbs.) **Work Environment and Culture** As a Customer Manager at blithequark, you will be working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with a team of talented professionals. We value strategic thinking, proactive communication, and a commitment to achieving sales excellence. Our work environment is collaborative and supportive, with opportunities for growth and development. **Compensation and Benefits** We offer a competitive compensation package, including: * Salary: $60,000 - $80,000 per year, depending on experience. * Bonus: Eligible for bonus based on performance. * Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. **How to Apply** If you are a motivated and results-driven professional with a passion for the natural products industry, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please submit your resume and cover letter to [insert contact information]. We look forward to hearing from you! **Equal Opportunity Employer** blithequark is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful work environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all employees. **Reasonable Accommodations** If you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact [insert contact information]. We are committed to providing a fair and accessible hiring process for all candidates. **By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use.**