Customer Development Manager - Omni Channel

About Hill's Pet Nutrition and Colgate-Palmolive

Hill's Pet Nutrition operates as part of Colgate-Palmolive, a leading global consumer products company present in over 200 countries. The company specializes in oral care, personal care, home care, skin care, and pet nutrition products that are trusted worldwide. Hill's values diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and fosters a culture grounded in care, courage, and inclusiveness to drive growth and innovation for healthier lives of people, pets, and the planet.

Role Overview

The Customer Development Manager (CDM) at Hill's Pet Nutrition plays a vital role in achieving ambitious sales goals by ensuring optimal product placements and excellent execution of promotional strategies. This position focuses on building and enhancing omnichannel partnerships across retail, online platforms, and veterinary services. Reporting directly to the Country Manager for New Zealand, the CDM manages key accounts with a strategic approach to drive sales growth and strengthen Hill's leadership in super-premium pet nutrition.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily management of customer accounts and relationships across retail, online, and veterinary channels.
• Develop and implement annual business plans for assigned customers, including negotiating trading terms to enhance market presence.
• Manage the Customer Profit & Loss (P&L), including accurate forecasting and planning of products.
• Strategically allocate commercial investments within the 7Ps framework to maintain Hill's preferred partner status.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to launch impactful joint business initiatives.
• Monitor and report market share and category performance metrics.
• Use analytics to guide return-on-investment focused strategies and discussions.
• Achieve sales targets aligned with investment guidelines and global/regional brand strategies by advising on promotional efforts.
• Work across departments such as Customer Development, Marketing, Digital, and Supply Chain to seize business opportunities and ensure accurate planning.
• Ensure e-Commerce sales fundamentals are met, maintaining high content standards and timely product launches.
• Lead and mentor a Customer Development Executive, aligning their goals with company values.

Candidate Profile

• Possesses a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, commerce, or a related field.
• Holds 3 to 5 years of experience managing customer relationships, preferably in Pet or FMCG sectors.
• Demonstrates strong strategic planning and relationship-building abilities.
• Exhibits confident and clear communication skills suitable for diverse retail environments.
• Has a solid analytical mindset and competent in prioritization and goal orientation.
• Proficient in CRM platforms, sales analytics tools, and familiar with Google Suite or similar software.
• Team-oriented with collaborative skills to fulfill customer needs and company objectives.
• Previous experience in the pet industry is advantageous but not required, with training provided for newcomers.

Additional Information

• The position is based in Auckland with hybrid work flexibility; however, attendance at the office is expected four days per week.
• Hill's endorses equal opportunity employment and promotes an inclusive culture supportive of diversity and accommodation needs during hiring processes.
• The company offers professional development through continuous training, mentoring, performance feedback, and career growth opportunities.
• Compensation includes a competitive salary, bonus options, and comprehensive benefits, detailed at the hiring stage.
• Applicants should submit a resume highlighting measurable achievements; the selection involves assessments and interviews.
• Travel is required up to 20% of the time, supporting business needs.
• Hill’s is committed to sustainability, ethical practices, and corporate social responsibility; candidates sharing these values are encouraged to apply.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity

Hill’s fosters an inclusive environment where all employees are valued and empowered to contribute authentically. The company is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during recruitment for those with disabilities.