Strategic Customer Development Manager – Grocery Channel Growth & Partnership Leadership at brighthush

About brighthush

brighthush is a trailblazing player in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) arena, dedicated to energizing people worldwide with a portfolio of high‑protein snacks and supplements that taste great, feel good, and fit seamlessly into an active lifestyle. Our mission is simple yet powerful: make nutrition accessible, enjoyable, and a natural part of everyday life. With a culture rooted in innovation, data‑driven decision making, and a relentless focus on customer success, brighthush is poised to shape the future of health and wellness.

Position Overview

We are seeking an ambitious, results‑oriented Customer Development Manager – Grocery Channel to lead strategic regional grocery accounts and drive profitable growth across our expanding product portfolio. This role is a full‑stack commercial leadership position that blends strategic planning, cross‑functional collaboration, and hands‑on execution. You will own the end‑to‑end customer strategy, manage P&L, and partner with internal teams and external broker partners to unlock incremental growth opportunities, win shelf space, and deliver exceptional in‑market execution.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Accelerated Grocery Channel Growth

• Develop and execute joint business plans with key regional grocery retailers and distributors to establish category leadership and accelerate growth across the brighthush brand portfolio.
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to expand distribution, close assortment gaps, improve shelf presence, and secure incremental merchandising support.
• Build senior‑level customer relationships grounded in strategic partnership, data‑driven insights, and collaborative growth planning.
• Lead customer‑specific growth strategies focused on velocity, profitability, innovation launches, promotional effectiveness, and omnichannel execution.
• Serve as the primary commercial leader for assigned accounts, aligning internal stakeholders and external partners to achieve aggressive growth objectives.
• Represent brighthush at customer meetings, industry events, trade shows, and conferences with professionalism and strong brand stewardship.

Customer & Broker Leadership

• Lead broker partner relationships with clear expectations, accountability, and a performance‑driven operating cadence focused on execution excellence.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Category Management, Marketing, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, and Customer Service teams to deliver customer‑specific business plans and operational excellence.
• Translate category trends, retailer strategies, and consumer insights into compelling selling stories and actionable growth opportunities.
• Negotiate annual plans, promotional programs, assortment expansions, and merchandising initiatives that deliver profitable growth and maximize ROI.
• Drive operational discipline across trade management processes, deduction management, pricing accuracy, forecasting, and customer payment resolution.

Sales & Commercial Excellence

• Own the full sales planning and execution cycle for assigned accounts, including business reviews, line reviews, innovation sell‑in, promotional planning, and annual negotiations.
• Develop impactful customer presentations and data‑driven selling materials leveraging brighthush data, syndicated data, shopper insights, and retailer POS analytics.
• Lead best‑in‑class promotional and display strategies that balance topline growth with strong trade efficiency and measurable ROI.
• Collaborate with broker partners and internal teams to improve forecast accuracy, inventory alignment, and promotional execution.
• Manage trade investment against budget while continuously evaluating promotional effectiveness and optimizing spend efficiency.
• Consistently deliver against sales, distribution, share, and profitability targets in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 6+ years of experience in Customer Development, National Accounts, Sales Strategy, or related CPG commercial roles.
• Proven success managing regional grocery accounts, distributors, or large‑format retail customers within a high‑growth CPG environment.
• Strong understanding of retailer economics, category management principles, and trade investment management.
• Experience leveraging brighthush data, retailer POS data, syndicated data, and trade promotion management systems to drive decisions and influence customers.
• Demonstrated ability to build compelling selling stories and influence internal and external stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Highly collaborative leader with strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Analytical, financially disciplined, and results‑oriented with a strong ownership mentality.
• Thrives in fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environments with a focus on continuous improvement and executional excellence.
• Ability to travel as needed to support customers, brokers, and company initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in a high‑growth CPG company with a focus on grocery channel.
• Proficiency in advanced analytics tools and data visualization platforms.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of securing favorable terms and maximizing ROI.
• Experience managing P&L and driving profitability across multiple accounts.
• Knowledge of omnichannel retail strategies and digital commerce trends.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking & Planning
• Customer Relationship Management
• Data Analysis & Insight Generation
• Negotiation & Deal Closure
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Financial Acumen & P&L Management
• Project Management & Execution Excellence
• Adaptability & Resilience
• Communication & Presentation Skills

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At brighthush, we believe in nurturing talent and providing a clear path for career advancement. As a Customer Development Manager, you will:

• Gain exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision‑making.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives that shape the future of our brand portfolio.
• Develop expertise in category management, trade promotion, and data analytics.
• Participate in leadership development programs, mentorship, and continuous learning workshops.
• Advance to senior roles such as Director of Customer Development, Category Manager, or Vice President of Sales.

Work Environment & Company Culture

brighthush thrives on a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Our team is:

• Highly entrepreneurial, with a bias for action and a passion for growth.
• Data‑driven, using insights to inform strategy and measure impact.
• Inclusive and diverse, fostering an environment where every voice is heard.
• Committed to work‑life balance, offering flexible schedules and remote work options.
• Focused on continuous improvement, encouraging experimentation and learning from failure.

Compensation & Benefits

While specific figures are tailored to experience and performance, brighthush offers a competitive compensation package that includes:

• Base salary commensurate with market standards.
• Performance‑based bonus structure tied to sales, distribution, and profitability targets.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible vacation policy.
• Employee wellness programs, including gym memberships and mental health resources.
• Professional development stipend and tuition reimbursement.

How to Apply

If you are a commercially driven leader with a passion for building strategic customer partnerships and driving growth in the grocery channel, we invite you to apply. Submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you’re excited about the opportunity to shape the future of nutrition at brighthush.

Closing Statement

Join brighthush and become a catalyst for change in the health and wellness industry. Your expertise will help us expand our reach, deepen customer relationships, and deliver products that empower people to live their best lives. We look forward to welcoming a visionary leader who shares our commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer success.