Job Description:

The Mars Petcare team, famous for brands such as Dine, MyDog and Schmackos, has an exciting 12 month contract available (due to parental leave) as a Customer Development Leader for our Agri, Distributors and Discounters channel.

The Agri, Distributors and Discounters channel plays a critical role in delivering profitable growth within both the broader Independents & Emerging channel, and total Sales organisation. Comprising of The Reject Shop, Nutrien, AIRR, and a number of other distributor and clearance customers, this portfolio is also responsible for identifying and establishing new (or emerging) customers within the Australian marketplace to ensure that Mars Petcare is able to increase reach and penetration amongst Pet Parents and support our innovation of the future. 

Reporting into the Customer Development Director for Independents & Emerging, this role is predominantly Customer facing and will drive the customer agenda and provide strategic and operational day-to-day management of this key customer channel. It is a critical role that requires exceptional stakeholder management both internally and externally. The diverse needs of each customer, and their interactions with the broader FMCG customer landscape, make this role a dynamic role in balancing the needs of internal and external stakeholders while delivering profitable growth for Mars. 

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Contribute to the total financial performance of the Independents & Emerging channel by delivering against agreed total Agri, Distributors & Discounters targets, consistent with customer and growth expectations
• Conduct end to end account management of the Emerging (including future customers) customer portfolios including all areas of pricing, promotion, execution, category management, activation, clearance and NPD/distribution
• Contribute to the Mars S&OP process through ownership of demand planning responsibilities such as promotional forecasting and inputs, with all activities delivered in line with supply lead times and external customer expectations
• Demonstrate strong operational discipline through exceptional management of all administrative requirements including Aged Accruals, Overdue Deductions Register, and end to end claims management delivered in line with finance governance processes
• Establish and maintain key partnerships within customer portfolio across all divisions of their organisations to ensure detailed understanding of customer capability and strategic direction to identify opportunities to partner, activate, share expertise/data, and drive mutual growth
• Lead the range review process internally and externally in line with customer review timings and Mars Petcare deployment processes, through collaboration with internal stakeholders to grow Mars Petcare share, range and space.
• Identify pet and online category solutions that drive long term sustainable business growth for Mars and our customers, and translate these into action through collaboration and partnership

What are we looking for?

• Previous sales Account Management experience in complex customer environments – distributors experience or Agri / Convenience will be favourable.
• Proven ability to build strong customer relationships
• Strong financial acumen including experience managing trade spend inside fixed budgets
• Understanding of core category principles including ability to evaluate performance and establish strategies to improve outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to tailor price and promotion tactics to drive improved performance

What can you expect from Mars?

• Genuine career progression with a focus on you and your career goals. Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• Global health and wellbeing program to support flexibility and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to make a difference with our volunteer and ambassador programs.
• Be part of a company that is contributing to making the world a better place today and every day through on our sustainable generation plan.
• A culture that offers collaboration, leadership and rewards you for the role you play within Mars.

Mars does not accept agency applications, and candidates must have valid working rights in Australia.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

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