Take Root by Green Spoon Natural Food + Grocery Distributor Key Account Manager - UNFI + KeHE

Take Root by Green Spoon // Distributor Key Account Manager - UNFI + KeHE

Green Spoon Sales is the leading independent natural products sales agency representing the most exciting CPG brands nationwide. We are a mission-driven organization committed to transforming the retail landscape by expanding shelf space for healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable products. 

In addition to our work in natural products, Green Spoon is deeply committed to environmental stewardship. As a proud member of 1% for the Planet, we support a wide range of nonprofit partners through volunteering, donations, and ongoing sustainability initiatives, reflecting our belief that business has a responsibility to create positive change for future generations.  

Take Root by Green Spoon is a dedicated business team focused on supporting emerging brands. Take Root specializes in helping emerging brands strategize, focus, and scale – all at affordable costs with experienced natural CPG experts. Take Root is a team separate from Green Spoon Sales, delivering best-in-class access to the strategic retail partners needed to catapult brands into CPG relevance.

Driven by the desire to transform the retail landscape, our team helps brands gain access to retail stores and shelf space, in addition to driving sales through marketing and promotions.

Take Root by Green Spoon is looking for a positive, passionate, and detail-oriented Distributor Key Account Manager. This fully-remote hybrid role is responsible for developing our brand partners' business at both UNFI and KeHE, serving as the primary point of contact for both distributor relationships. The individual must be able to meet and exceed department goals related to building the business across both distributors and must be able to work interdepartmentally to resolve issues and find mutually beneficial solutions to grow the business.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Help facilitate relationships with all UNFI and KeHE distributor contacts, including Supplier Managers, Category Managers, Onboarding Specialists, Coding, Vendor Support, Sales Enablement, Supply Chain Management, Accounts Payable, and Events/Marketing Teams
• Understanding of supplier agreements and other onboarding forms, nuances, and protocol across both UNFI and KeHE
• Knowledge of current supplier policies, agreements, and logistic guidelines for each distributor
• Monitor and review distributor policies and procedures, helping to negotiate necessary modifications
• Strong understanding of UNFI and KeHE programs, marketing vehicles, and policies
• Stay updated on distributor sales/marketing vehicles and relay new information to brands and suppliers as it becomes available
• Ability to guide brands with new vendor on-boarding and complete submission of new vendor packets for both distributors
• Load all new/seasonal items/shippers
• Pricing and freight guidance: Delivered, FOB, freight allowances, booked freight guidance
• Process vendor changes (warehouse changes, remit changes, and other corporate updates)
• Submit item maintenance, price changes, discos, and any other product/spec changes
• Ensure all certifications are current
• Maintain broker or record
• Utilize KeHE Connect/BI and navigate the UNFI Portal (including Insights and MyUNFI) to optimize performance and potential for each brand and distribution center
• Pull reports as requested by suppliers and become familiar with all reporting suites for Green Spoon and our supplier partners
• Lead planning calls, build planners, and submit finalized programming throughout the year based on deadlines
• Help organize and file road maps, promo planners, and monthly programming; ensure all deadlines are met
• Submit monthly promotions and lead Annual Promotional Planning and Roadmapping in coordination with Promotions Team.
• Ensure all promotional calendars are aligned between the Distribution Team and Promo/KAM Team
• Follow up with buyers to generate purchase orders to maintain consistent sales and avoid OOS issues
• Follow up with buyers regarding PO revisions and supply issues
• Transportation/fill-rate issues: work with distributor contacts to minimize retailer service-level issues and optimize item availability and sales
• Coordinate participation at distributor shows: registration, dates, pre- and post-show communications by distributing contact lists, show deals, PowerPoints, and sales recaps
• Ensure the Take Root/Green Spoon team is aware of pre-order dates, distributor-specific discounts, product changes, and other programs intended to drive sales
• Communicate updates to brand partners and relevant Take Root contacts
• Serve as the middle person between the Distributor Team and other Take Root/Green Spoon departments
• Must be willing and able to travel several times throughout the year to industry events and shows
• If applicable, prepare and present at sales and vendor meetings
• Assist in direction for deduction resolution and dispute process

Qualifications + Skills

• 3+ years of experience managing both UNFI and KeHE distributor business required
• College degree in business or related field, or equivalent experience, preferred
• Knowledge of the brokerage business and its relationship to Principals and overall business
• Natural food and grocery experience required
• Exceptional attention to detail and highly organized
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Self-motivated with a quick response time
• Ability to multitask and function in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), & Teams
• Interest in organic food and products
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must own a smartphone and computer to perform duties; Green Spoon supplies Microsoft Office Suite.

*Leadership reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as needed to ensure alignment with overarching department goals.

Some of the awesome benefits you will receive as a Team Member at Green Spoon!

• Amazing company culture!
• 15%-25%+ higher salary package over competitive agencies
• 401k Match Plan - 100% Employer Match up to 4% of Salary
• 100% covered strong Health insurance plan
• 100% covered strong Dental insurance plan
• 100% covered strong Vision insurance plan
• Critical Illness & Accident & Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Strong PTO Plan
• Paid Personal Wellness Days
• 10 Paid Holidays (Birthday - paid day off)
• "Home for the Holidays" Break
• Bi-Monthly Office Allowance
• Annual Team Builds
• Annual Wellness Reimbursement
• Paid Volunteer Hours – 1% For The Planet (Team on a Mission!)
  

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Thank you in advance for your interest in Green Spoon. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we’re unable to respond to individual inquiries by phone. Someone from our team will contact you directly via email if are selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Please be aware, emails from our Career Page may land in your spam/junk folders, so be sure to check those for any potential missed communication.