National Account Manager, Kroger

About Liquid I.V.

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the role. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to the company's mission, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Liquid I.V.

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know that the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives that encourage new ways of solving problems, so we strive to attract and develop talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Liquid I.V. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About our Team:

We are a world-class team of innovators and passionate change-makers, looking to develop transformative hydration solutions and make a meaningful impact on the world around us.

At Liquid I.V., we are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve.

Our team members enjoy a flexible and inclusive working environment, a highly collaborative and innovation-forward culture, generous benefits and perks that empower employees to champion their wellbeing every day, as well as an infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for extraordinary hydration.

About the role:

National Account Manager - Kroger will be a key leader within the Liquid I.V. Sales team, reporting to the Sr. Director, Food & Drug. This role owns the development and execution of strategic, long-term sales plans for Kroger, with full accountability for delivering sustainable growth and profitability.

Primary responsibilities include leading Joint Business Plans (JBPs), influencing and aligning cross-functional partners, owning senior-level engagement with Kroger stakeholders, and managing trade and marketing investments to maximize return. This role is also responsible for clearly communicating business performance, risks, and opportunities to internal Sales leadership and the broader Liquid I.V. leadership team.

Kroger is a critical growth partner for Liquid I.V., and this role will serve as the internal expert and strategic voice of the customer. The National Account Manager will provide actionable, data-driven insights and recommendations to drive both base and incremental sales across distribution, assortment, pricing, promotion, and omni-channel execution. This role will leverage analytics to inform decision-making and guide annual customer planning as well as internal operating plans.

The ideal candidate is a proven self-starter and strategic operator who can independently lead a complex, high-visibility business. They bring strong customer leadership, advanced analytical capability, and a results-driven mindset, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment while influencing across functions and levels.

Functions and duties of this role include, but not limited to:

• Own the overall Kroger strategy, including base business, innovation, assortment, pricing, promotion, omni-channel, and profitability

• Lead the development and execution of Joint Business Plans aligned to both Kroger and Liquid I.V. strategic priorities

• Serve as the senior point of contact with Kroger buyers, leadership, and cross-functional partners

• Proactively identify growth opportunities and risks, using deep analytical rigor and scenario planning

• Translate Kroger strategy and insights into clear internal direction for Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Revenue Growth Management, and eCommerce

• Lead innovation strategy inclusive of selling in new items, category reviews, and post-launch performance tracking

• Own total trade investment, ensuring ROI discipline and alignment with long-term value creation

• Leverage syndicated data, shopper insights, and Kroger platforms (84.51) to inform decisions and recommendations

• Set direction and expectations for brokers and agency partners; hold them accountable to performance and results

• Confidently represent Liquid I.V. in high-stakes negotiations and executive-level discussions

• Communicate performance, risks, and opportunities clearly to senior leadership on a regular cadence

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field (MBA preferred)

• 8-10+ years of experience in customer management within the CPG industry

• 4+ years of direct Kroger account ownership, including JBPs and buyer negotiations

• Proven experience leading large, complex businesses with meaningful revenue responsibility

• Deep understanding of pricing, promotion strategy, and cross-channel dynamics (store + eComm)

• Advanced ability to leverage data and insights to drive strategic decision-making

• Strong executive presence with exceptional storytelling and influence skills

• Demonstrated ability to operate independently while influencing cross-functionally

• Track record of consistently delivering results in high-expectation environments

• Familiarity with Kroger tools (84.51) and platforms strongly preferred

What We Give:

• 100% company-paid medical, dental and vision insurance for employees (PPO, HMO and Kaiser options).

• A 401k plan with company match, short and long-term disability coverage.

• A generous PTO and sick policy that includes 13+ paid annual holidays.

• Wellness classes (fitness, mental health, nutrition, finance, etc.).

• An Employee Assistance Program, including membership for guided meditation for all employees.

• Monthly tech and wellness reimbursement.

• An infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for endless hydration!

Work Environment:

• This role is REMOTE ( Cincinnati Area ) . The responsibilities of this job will be handled from your home office with up to 20% travel . Travel locations would include: Kroger headquarters (OH), LIV's headquarters (LA), and trade shows/expos.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

The compensation band for this position is $116,100 - $174,100 annually. The exact salary is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal company equity, and budget. The listed range is applicable only to the annual base salary and does not include additional perks, benefits, or applicable bonus eligibility comprising the total compensation package.

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the role. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to the company's mission, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Liquid I.V.

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know that the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives that encourage new ways of solving problems, so we strive to attract and develop talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Liquid I.V. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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