Director, Private Label Account Development - Food Manufacturing

The Director, Private Label Account Development is responsible for driving the strategic growth, profitability, and long-term success of the Company's private label business. This role leads the development and execution of private label sales strategies, manages key national and regional customer relationships, and partners cross-functionally to deliver profitable growth aligned with the Company's manufacturing capabilities and strategic priorities.

This position is a senior-level commercial leadership role requiring strong customer acumen, P&L ownership mindset, and the ability to translate market opportunities into scalable, sustainable private label programs.

Key Responsibilities

Private Label Growth & Strategy

• Develop and execute the Company's private label growth strategy, aligned with overall commercial and operational objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new private label opportunities across retail, foodservice, and strategic customer segments.
• Build multi-year account development plans that drive revenue growth, margin improvement, and capacity optimization.

Customer & Account Leadership

• Serve as the executive relationship owner for assigned key private label accounts.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations, including pricing, contracts, volume commitments, and long-term supply agreements.
• Partner with customers to understand category trends, consumer insights, and innovation opportunities to strengthen long-term partnerships.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Quality, Finance, and Marketing to ensure customer programs are operationally feasible and financially sound.
• Collaborate on new product development, packaging, cost-reduction initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts tied to customer needs.
• Align forecasts and demand planning with manufacturing capacity and inventory strategies.

Financial & Performance Management

• Own revenue, margin, and profitability performance for assigned private label accounts.
• Develop pricing strategies and margin improvement plans while maintaining customer competitiveness.
• Monitor KPIs, customer performance metrics, and market trends to drive informed decision-making.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop private label sales and account management talent (directly or indirectly).
• Establish best practices for private label account development, customer engagement, and commercial execution.
• Act as a senior commercial leader and role model for collaboration, accountability, and ethical business practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive sales and account leadership experience, with significant private label or strategic account experience in a manufacturing, food, or CPG environment.
• Proven success managing large, complex customer relationships and driving profitable growth.
• Strong negotiation, financial acumen, and contract management skills.
• Experience working cross-functionally with manufacturing and operations teams.

Preferred

• Experience with multi-plant manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence in matrixed organizations.
• Experience supporting national or multi-regional retail or foodservice customers.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Customer-centric leadership
• Commercial and financial acumen
• Executive presence and communication
• Results-driven mindset
• Collaborative leadership style

Work Environment & Travel

• Office-based or hybrid, with regular interaction with manufacturing facilities.
• Travel up to 30-40%, including customer meetings, plant visits, and industry events.

Why Join Us

This role offers the opportunity to shape and lead the future of our private label business, influence strategic growth decisions, and partner closely with senior leadership in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Salary Description


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