Senior Manager, Customer Team Lead

Position Summary

A new role. An iconic brand. A chance to shape what comes next.

Welch’s is creating a Senior Manager, Category Team Lead role to drive growth across a portfolio of grocery customers, including H-E-B, Brookshire, Raley’s, Stater Brothers, Bashas, URM, C&S California, and Fareway. H-E-B experience is the most critical.

You’ll own the customer strategy and the execution that brings it to life. From building stronger retailer partnerships and negotiating growth opportunities to getting new products on shelves and making trade investments count. You’ll connect what shoppers want, what customers need, and where Welch’s can win.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys building a plan, earning a customer’s trust, and staying close enough to the details to deliver. As part of a newly created role, you’ll help establish priorities and ways of working that support profitable, long-term growth across your customer portfolio.

Where You’ll Work

This is a fully remote role based from your home office, with approximately 25% travel based on business needs. Candidates in the Greater San Antonio area are especially encouraged to apply given proximity to H-E-B headquarters. Locations near other customer headquarters are also preferred.

What You’ll Do

• Own the customer growth plan. Translate Welch’s strategic growth and annual operating plans into clear customer priorities, sales opportunities, and measurable volume and profit results.

• Build partnerships that open doors. Develop strong relationships with customer decision-makers, understand their business priorities, and bring forward ideas that create value for both organizations.

• Find the next opportunity. Turn shopper insights, syndicated and panel data, category trends, and competitive activity into recommendations for assortment, shelving, pricing, and promotions.

• Bring innovation to the shelf. Lead customer conversations around new products and growth ideas, coordinating internally to support commercialization and successful launches.

• Make the economics work. Manage customer P&Ls, trade budgets, and live trade accruals with a clear understanding of how each decision affects sales and profitability.

• Connect the right teams. Partner with Marketing, Sales Planning, Commercial Finance, Category Development, Logistics, and Supply Chain to move customer plans from recommendation to execution.

• Keep demand and supply aligned. Provide monthly and annual forecasts and collaborate with Demand Planning to support production planning and customer needs.

• Follow through on the details. Own customer programming and account execution, including retailer and new-item forms, online sales information, deduction management, and timely updates to internal systems.

Who You Are

• You see the business behind the sale. You understand how customer priorities, shopper behavior, trade investment, and supply decisions come together to drive profitable growth.

• You build credibility through preparation and follow-through. You listen closely, communicate clearly, and bring customers ideas grounded in their business.

• You turn analysis into action. You can explain what the data means, recommend a path forward, and negotiate effectively.

• You take ownership. You’re comfortable setting priorities in a new role, bringing people together across functions, and staying accountable for results.

• You deliver. You have a track record of exceeding sales targets and creating meaningful growth.

What You’ll Need

• At least 8 years of experience in the food and beverage industry.

• National account management or direct ownership of customer accounts is required.

• A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the capabilities needed for the role.

• Experience managing customer P&Ls, trade spending, and live trade accrual budgets is required.

• Ability to analyze syndicated and panel data and translate findings into customer recommendations.

• Strong negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.

• Proficiency with business applications and tools used for analysis, forecasting, presentations, and account management.

• Willingness to travel approximately 25%, depending on business needs.

What You’ll Enjoy

At Welch’s, you’ll have the opportunity to make a visible impact on a business with a bold purpose and a clear vision for the future.

• A voice in the business: Bring your perspective, contribute ideas, and help shape how we grow.

• An inclusive culture: Work in an environment where you can belong, contribute, and be yourself.

• Remote flexibility: Work from your home office while connecting with customers and colleagues through business travel.

• Time to recharge and give back: Paid time off, holidays, and 40 hours of paid volunteer time for non-union employees.

• Development and growth: Access to LinkedIn Learning and formal and informal career development opportunities.

• Competitive compensation: Base salary and an annual incentive plan.

• Retirement support: A 401(k) plan with a generous company match.

• Benefits from day one: Flexible options including medical, dental, vision, health savings accounts, and life and accident insurance.

• Additional support: Employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, and benefits through Perks at Work.

• Paid parental and adoption leave: Available after 6 months of employment.

Compensation

The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum base salary for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and represents Welch’s good faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan.