Account Executive - Kroger

Johnsonville products are available in retail stores in all 50 states. As a member of this sales team, you’ll be the link between Johnsonville and millions of consumers, who enjoy our sausage as part of a quick breakfast or an outdoor tailgate with friends, family and neighbors. Johnsonville relies on experienced and dedicated sales professionals to ensure our customers receive the products they need and want, and that their consumers are satisfied. As a member of our retail sales team, you’ll work closely with Johnsonville’s marketing and category management teams to develop and deliver consumer insights and category reviews that help our customers be successful. You’ll also work with our broker partners to make sure that sales strategies are fully and effectively executed, from headquarters to the retail stores. At Johnsonville, we call this delivering HICS -- Highest Impact On Customer Success.

Johnsonville, LLC 

Account Executive – Kroger

Position Overview:

Johnsonville, LLC offers the highest quality products throughout the U.S. and international markets. We have a great opportunity for an account executive to join our sales organization supporting the Kroger business.  You will be able to impact on the success of the sales team through leadership and management of the Kroger’s business. This includes management of our broker network, certain division ownership and supporting the director of sales long-term strategic vision. 

Responsibilities:

• Create and execute professional, fact-based sales presentations
• Develop and build relationships throughout Kroger and Harris Teeter, including those in key strategic decision-making positions at headquarter level
• The ability to collaborate with Johnsonville stakeholders (RGM, Category, Brand) to develop category relevant strategies to execute with Kroger and Harris Teeter
• Own the relationship, discount, and trade strategies for specific portions of the business
• Gain, solidify, and maintain distribution in Johnsonville related categories
• Create innovative programs and promotions
• Support broker relationship and job expectations
• Develop and enhance relationships at division level
• Ensure that all authorized items are in distribution at retail stores

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ consumer packaged goods sales experience in the retail grocery industry in the U.S. marketplace, required
  • Experience working with Kroger strongly preferred
• Proven experience building new and existing relationships with key customers, required
  • Including those in key strategic decision-making positions at headquarter level
• Experience with syndicated data (Nielsen, IRI, Consumer Insights, 8451, etc.) strongly preferred
• Experience with grass roots marketing and/or co-marketing
• Broker Management and/or Broker experience a plus
• Proven record of building a business
• Experience with trade management system and revenue growth management

Skills and Competencies:

• Career motivated-open to relocate for future opportunities within the company desired
• Superior strategic and tactical business planning skills
• Excellent communication skills including negotiation and presentation skills
• Team skills--ability to share ideas, work with and assist other members to ensure the success of the team
• Proficiency in computer technologies (Excel, PowerPoint, Word; willingness to learn SAP)
• Potential to learn, grow, and take on increased responsibility

Other Requirements:

• Ability and willingness to travel 25-30% of the time

Date:                                     March 3, 2025

Coach for this position:     Director of Sales

Position Location:              Greater areas of Cincinnati, Ohio or Charlotte, North Carolina

Travel:                                  Approximately 25-30%

Member Status:                 Full Time, Salaried

Benefits:                           Members have potential for a monthly bonus, 401k with a company match and profit sharing. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off, as well as tuition reimbursement! 

About our Company

Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 3,000 Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!

How to Apply:  

External candidate:  Apply on-line only at: careers.johnsonville.com

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

We value the diversity of our workforce and we embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment. M/F/Vet/Disability

Johnsonville values the service Veterans and their family members have given to our country.  We support the hiring of returning service members and military spouses.