Senior Customer Development Analyst (Packaged Salad Retail) - Bonduelle Fresh Americas

Position: Sr Customer Development Analyst
Department: Sales
Reports To: Customer Development Manager
Salary Type: Exempt
Location: Irwindale
Pay: $80,000-$100,000

Groupe Bonduelle is a company that is making a positive impact
Groupe Bonduelle is the world leader in ready-to-use plant-rich food. By joining our company you will have an opportunity to make a positive and sustainable impact on yourself, others and the planet. You will play an active part in our mission to inspire the transition toward a plant-rich diet to contribute to people's well-being and planet health.

Groupe Bonduelle Fresh Americas is the U.S. business unit of France based Groupe Bonduelle (BON.PA). We are the first business unit of Groupe Bonduelle to become a Certified B Corporation. We operate four processing facilities throughout the U.S. and employ nearly 3,000 Associates who focus on producing and bringing to market fresh vegetable products, prepared salads and plant-based meal solutions.

Groupe Bonduelle is a 170 year old French family-owned company that has been at the forefront of plant rich food innovations since 1853. Our ready-to-use plant-rich food products are grown on 173,000 acres by our grower partners and marketed in nearly 100 countries. The company currently employees more than 12,000 Associates globally.

Join us at Bonduelle Fresh Americas for an opportunity to advance your career in a culture that places people first. As a valued member of our company, you will have the opportunity to support our environmental and social initiatives to drive progress against our corporate social responsibility and B Corp certification ambitions.

At Bonduelle Fresh Americas, we make contributing to a better future through plant-based food our top priority.

Position Summary:

The Senior Customer Development Analyst supports the growth of our Packaged Salad Retail Business through the development, submission and execution of proposals, bids, quotations, and RFP (Request for Proposal) responses to prospective retail grocery clients/retailers. In the salad industry, sales growth is often driven with large retailers through an RFP process. This person will coordinate with cross-functional partners in the development of new products, including development of recipes, packaging and all executional aspects of the production and transportation of the new business.  This role involves coordinating with various teams to ensure strategic alignment and timely delivery of proposals and launching new business that meet operational goals and budget requirements. Once a new business is awarded this role is responsible for working cross-functionally to ensure the timely launch of these new businesses with our retail partners. Attention to detail, teamwork, and adherence to deadlines are critical to success in this role.

What will you do:

• Serve as the support function to sales to optimize account selling activities aligned with the company objectives and growth ambition of the company’s brand.
• Leverage category and consumer insights to support identifying white spaces, fact based selling approach and storytelling
• Develop presentations and sales materials to support account selling team
• Assist in driving the strategic approach for RFP submissions, considering factors like competitor analysis, supply chain guidance, and operational efficiency. Review and finalize proposals, including financial assessments of pricing, margins, and profit requirements.
• Support cross-functional efforts aimed at achieving improvement projects such as cost savings initiatives, product optimization, and packaging improvements.
• Assist in managing critical milestones within the proposal process to ensure all deadlines are met.
• Act as the primary liaison between cross-functional groups (finance, operations, supply chain) and the Sales team.
• Serve as the primary liaison between sales and the customer and internal cross-functional groups (finance, operations, supply chain) to launch new items with customers.
• Support activities for trade shows to drive company and brand awareness

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• 5+ years of experience in sales preferably in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food and Beverage industries
• Familiarity with customer account selling across a variety of sales channels and some key account management experience a plus
• Understanding of what is needed to drive sales through new products launches, innovation and growing base business
• Understanding of P&L components impacting revenue, cost of goods, distribution, and overhead
• Ability to work independently and proactively to deliver compliant proposal responses and meet deadlines
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop solutions and create tactical plans
• Meticulous attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Enthusiasm for mentoring and sharing knowledge with team members
• Adaptability to succeed in a fast-paced, innovative business environment
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Ability to influence and coach others effectively