Senior Retail Business Strategy Manager

Acosta Retail Sales Strategy Partner

You will translate JM Smucker headquarters sales team priorities into clear retail strategies and executable plans for Acosta's dedicated retail field organization. This position serves as the day-to-day partner to assigned sales and customer teams, connecting client objectives, retail operations, field execution, and performance insights. Success is measured by stronger execution, trusted client relationships, measurable business impact, and disciplined follow-through.

Responsibilities:

• Build trusted partnerships with assigned JM Smucker sales and customer teams; establish a consistent planning cadence and maintain visibility to priorities, risks, opportunities, and next steps.
• Translate customer objectives into clear field strategies, task instructions, timing, reporting requirements, and measurable success criteria.
• Own assigned initiatives from intake and scope through work setup, launch, execution monitoring, issue resolution, and post-event evaluation.
• Lead client working sessions, planning meetings, and business reviews; communicate progress, results, risks, and recommendations with confidence.
• Use Power BI, Excel, client data, retail reporting, and field insights to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities across distribution, on-shelf availability, merchandising, and promotions.
• Develop concise business stories that demonstrate value creation, sales protection, execution improvement, and return on retail investment.
• Influence cross-functional partners across Sales, Retail Operations, Analytics, and field leadership to ensure plans are executable, prioritized, and delivered.
• Manage multiple meetings, workstreams, deadlines, and complex projects while maintaining accuracy, organization, and follow-through.
• Lead process improvements and apply emerging tools, including AI and automation, to improve planning, communication, insights, and client outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Progressive experience in CPG, retail strategy, client service, sales strategy, retail operations, category management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading complex projects and influencing cross-functional teams from planning through implementation and measurement.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and business reporting tools; Power BI and AI or automation experience preferred.
• Knowledge of retail execution, including distribution, shelving, merchandising, promotions, and on-shelf availability, preferred.
• Ability to travel and maintain reliable transportation as required.

What Success Looks Like:

• Client priorities are converted into clear, executable retail plans.
• Field teams understand the objective, action required, timing, and measure of success.
• Risks and barriers are identified early, escalated appropriately, and resolved.
• Retail results are translated into actionable recommendations and credible evidence of business value.

Physical Requirements:

• Sit for extended periods (typically 6+ hours per day).
• Use a computer, including keyboard and mouse, for prolonged periods.
• Lift and carry light items (e.g., files, office supplies, laptops, typically 20+ pounds).
• Reach, bend, or stoop occasionally to access files or office materials.
• Maintain focus and attention for long periods of desk-based work.
• Follow clear directions.
• Perform repetitive motions (e.g., typing, clicking) consistently throughout the day.

About Us:

Acosta is a part of Acosta Group a collective of the industry's most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey. Specializing in retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence, Acosta empowers brands to thrive in the world of omnichannel shopping. Our sales and digital teams build lasting relationships, ensuring our client brands get the space they deserve in stores and outperform the competition online, while our merch reps make brands shine in retail locations across the world. But it's not just about what we do it's about who we are. With a team of over 20,000 associates, we're a community of forward-thinking, value-driven professionals committed to an unmatched level of trust and transparency in the industry. And, we understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why many of our field roles provide our associates with flexible scheduling options. Join us and be a part of a team that values growth and making a real impact for our clients, retail partners, and their customers.

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.