Customer Team Lead - Kroger

Role Overview

Utz Brands is seeking a strategic and performance-focused Customer Team Lead to own the Kroger account and help expand the company’s snacking business with a major retail partner. In this position, you will shape customer strategy across a complex multi-banner business, strengthen relationships with Kroger leadership, and guide a capable sales team toward profitable growth across the Utz portfolio.

This role goes beyond standard account management. It offers the chance to influence customer strategy, coach team members, and connect shopper, category, customer, and financial data into actionable plans that create value for both Utz and its retail partners.

Key Duties

• Direct the customer sales plan for Kroger’s multi-banner business, making sure account plans support Utz enterprise priorities, brand objectives, and category expansion opportunities.
• Develop and maintain trusted, high-level relationships with customer stakeholders, using insights-based selling in business reviews, negotiations, and joint planning sessions.
• Deliver results across sales, market share, distribution, merchandising, promotions, and trade investment for the assigned banners and brands.
• Manage customer P&L outcomes, revenue targets, spend efficiency, and investment approaches in coordination with Finance and Revenue Growth Management.
• Lead, coach, align, and develop Account Executives and Senior Key Account Executives so they can meet business goals, improve execution, and grow professionally.
• Work closely with Marketing, Shopper Marketing, Sales Operations, Category Insights, Finance, Supply Chain, R&D, Manufacturing, and Logistics to build customer solutions.
• Track market dynamics, competitor moves, promotional effectiveness, and customer opportunities to keep plans responsive and growth-oriented.

Candidate Profile

• More than 7 years of progressive sales experience in consumer packaged goods, including direct ownership of complex or multi-banner retail customer accounts.
• Experience in leading, coaching, or influencing sales teams with the ability to align people around common goals and achieve outcomes through others.
• Strong commercial understanding, including customer P&L management, trade spend, revenue objectives, promotional planning, and investment performance.
• Ability to use syndicated data, shopper insights, customer scorecards, and financial metrics to build compelling customer strategies and selling narratives.
• Excellent skills in communication, negotiation, analysis, problem-solving, relationship building, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook; familiarity with IRI/Nielsen or similar category and customer tools is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related discipline is preferred, along with a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel up to 50% within the United States.

Recruitment Steps

• Quick application: complete a short form and answer a few initial questions.
• Chat interview: participate in an online 20 to 25 minute chat to discuss your background and alignment with the company’s values.
• Live interview: shortlisted candidates will meet the hiring team to review role fit, team expectations, and company culture.

Why Join Utz

Utz Brands is committed to making high-quality, delicious snack foods and has built a strong portfolio that includes Utz, Zapp’s, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. The company values its associates and fosters a supportive, caring, and inclusive workplace with room for growth and advancement.

Full-time employees may be eligible for a benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, an employer-matched 401(k), a profit-sharing plan, an employee stock purchase plan, and additional programs designed to support overall well-being.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Utz Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status. The company also provides equal employment opportunity to minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.