Team Leader, Target

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose:

The individual in this position will be responsible for leading the Target business team based in Minneapolis in supporting the Lindt & Sprungli USA long term strategic vision for sustainable, profitable sales and category growth.

Position is a hybrid role and requires three days in the Minneapolis, MN office.

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, develop and maintain joint strategic business building relationships with Target Executive/Senior Management, Marketing and Logistics teams over and above the everyday requirements of the business (i.e. Merchants, Omni Managers).
• This role is critical to building and sustaining extraordinary customer relationships at all levels to continue to profitably grow the Lindt business.
• Lead and own the JBP process at Target, analyzing financials and managing ongoing planning agreements to drive growth and maintain Lindt profit levels.
• Develop and execute strategic business plans using in-depth analysis, shopper and consumer insight, category management, shopper marketing and P&L management to drive accelerated profitable growth for Lindt & Sprungli USA as well as add value for the customer and shopper.
• Develop and maintain a 3-5 year growth strategy with workforce, infrastructure and resource recommendations to support the corporate growth goals established by Sales Leadership.
• Provide direct leadership for a team of 3 talented business professionals supporting the Target accounts for Lindt.
• Responsible for the recruitment, on-boarding, goal setting, performance management and development of all members of the team.
• Partner closely with Lindt Ecommerce colleagues to meet requirements and growth metrics for omni business.
• Maintain strong internal visibility working collaboratively with internal Sales, Marketing, Finance, RGM and Logistics teams.
• Partner with marketing team to develop long term strategic customer specific plans that provide future growth and innovation plans that are relevant to growth for Target.
• Continue developing the ongoing partner relationship with our customer as the trusted source for premium chocolate insights within the total confectionary category.

National Sales & Account Management

• Execute long term strategic vision for the Lindt & Sprungli businesses that includes the identification and development of customer specific initiatives across the seasonal and non-seasonal portfolios.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategic initiatives that support brand-positioning and build the Lindt brand within the retailer.
• Create and implement brand-positioning strategies and build the importance of the Lindt brand within the retailer.
• Ensure the delivery of the appropriate product to the customer in a timely and efficient manner to achieve forecasted sales figures and profit volume, while remaining within budgetary guidelines.
• Ensure customer/division/channel needs are met without compromising the defined L&S market channel strategy; market and sell products appropriate to the channel as defined within strategy guidelines.
• Develop and grow collaborative internal cross-functional relationships to provide clarity into strategic customer initiatives as well as to secure necessary support while achieving long-term profitable growth.
• Lead all customer development efforts by collaborating with Revenue Growth Management, Marketing, Finance, Customer Service, & Strategic Customer Development. Engage all departments to achieve Lindt & Sprungli and the customer's long-term vision.
• Oversee or develop and execute professional, strategic presentations, internally and externally, including line reviews (seasonal, non-seasonal, impulse), pre-line review planning meetings, customer planning, and formal or informal joint business planning (JBP).
• Proactively manage and lead ongoing business planning process between the customer and Lindt & Sprungli as it relates to collaborative planning, annual planning, and sales and financial reporting.
• Successfully utilize Lindt field merchandising to help achieve strong up-front program support from the customer as well as exceptional sales and sell-thru results on the back-end.
• Work closely with Category Management and Trade Marketing, to deliver best-in-class insights, concepts, and solutions to the customer that fully aligns with Lindt strategic growth objectives and customer capabilities.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Consistently meet or exceed customer sales targets and deliver profitability while operating within budgetary constraints to contribute to the overall profitability of Lindt & Sprungli USA.
• Develop and recommend annual budget requirements to maximize profit levels within the defined area of responsibility.
• Partner with RGM to develop and communicate accurate sales forecasts that maximize in-store availability and minimize out of stock conditions, inform Sales Leadership and optimize production planning.
• Effectively manage the planning and utilization of Trade Promotion Funds to develop and expand business at Target while optimizing the impact and value of these investments.
• Ensure customer deductions are managed in a timely manner and with customer compliance to Lindt invoicing policy. Includes retroactive claims (post audits) and methods of future deduction management, in cooperation with the L&S Finance Team. Work with colleagues to justify, reduce, minimize when possible.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and fact-based selling skills; results oriented
• Highly collaborative, strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical and formal presentation skills
• Exceptional executive sales leadership and motivational skills
• Creative, self-starter capable of translating Sales & Marketing strategy into customer growth plan
• Highly organized to multi-task in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Able to develop accurate business forecasts

Education:

• Bachelor's degree: Masters in related field preferred