Key Account Manager, Whole Foods

Who is Basemakers?

At Basemakers, we help brands increase their sales velocity where it matters most: at the shelf, and have the vision to become a one-stop sales shop for emerging brands in the food and beverage world, creating world-class brands. Partnering with natural and specialty brands in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, we operate nation-wide helping increase the visibility of brands at a store level. However, our success reaches its highest levels when we embrace our why: we believe in the power of relationships to change the world for the better. Our approach sets us apart as not simply a retail, sales, and merchandising company but a true partner with brands, with communities, and with individuals looking to make a difference—including you!

Be a Basemaker

Our Basemakers are committed to living our core values:

• P - We PURSUE EXCELLENCE
• I - We act with INTEGRITY
• T - We choose TEAMWORK
• C - We COMMUNICATE WELL
• H - We bring HEART

The Opportunity

Basemakers is seeking a Key Account Manager to join our Elite, INC 500 team! As a critical role in representing our brand partners within the retail space, you have a special focus and experience fostering and maintaining relationships with key retail partners, including with Whole Foods Market. You will be the bridge between our brand partners and retail partners, ensuring effective communication and the achievement of business objectives. As an entrepreneurial, analytical thinker with strong interpersonal skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving, your opportunity is to help create the foundation for our brokerage division while bringing a genuine passion for creating growth and impact brands in the the food and beverage industry (the Basemakers way!).

Key Responsibilities

• Retailer Relationship Management & Distributor Contacts: Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers, category managers of retail partners, and distributor contacts such as UNFI.
• Distribution Expansion & New Market Opportunities: Identify opportunities to expand product distribution across all retail accounts and develop new market opportunities, including new brands to represent.
• New Product Submissions & Buyer Approvals: Facilitate the introduction of new products into retail assortments and secure buyer approvals for new lines/SKUs, particularly at Whole Foods Market and Sprouts.
• Reporting & Data Analysis: Generate periodic reports with insights on sales performance, in-store promotions, and stock levels. Review and collect portal and velocity data for brand partners, providing actionable insights.
• Promotional Planning & Strategy: Develop and recommend strategic promotional plans for key brand partners. Collaborate with brand partners and retailers to execute effective promotional strategies.
• Industry Monitoring: Keep track of portfolio competitors' activities like new items, pricing, and packaging and other shifts in the category.
• Retailer Feedback Loop & Category Management: Collect feedback from retailers and help buyers manage categories and operations. Manage and oversee category review schedules.
• Forecasting & Reporting: Work with brand partners and retail demand planning teams to align product availability with promotional calendars. Update Monday.com with submissions and calendars.
• Issue Resolution & Continuous Improvement: Address challenges raised by retailers or brand partners. Work with the team to continuously improve effectiveness, productivity, and service to our principals.
• Market Analysis & Shopper Marketing Collaboration: Analyze market trends and collaborate with the team on shopper marketing opportunities for brand partners within Key Accounts you are managing.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience in food and beverage industry.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field preferred.
• Proven experience as a Key Account Manager, required experience with Whole Foods.
• Strong understanding of the retail landscape, especially in the food and beverage industry.
• Strong understanding of distributor management, primarily UNFI.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and digital marketing platforms.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented, and capable of strategic thinking.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Benefits You'll Enjoy

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401k plan with 15% employer match of contributions, up to 5% of total compensation.
• Frontloaded PTO.
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement.
• 8 paid holidays.
• Monthly stipends to recognize and be recognized by others.
• Company events: quarterly get-togethers, annual all-company meetings.

This role is vital for the success of our brand partners and our company, requiring someone with a track record of success (specifically in Whole Foods) and with a strong passion for the food and beverage industry. If this sounds like you, Basemakers invites you to apply!

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