Customer Development Manager - Omni Channel

About Hill's Pet Nutrition - A Colgate-Palmolive Company

Hill's Pet Nutrition is part of Colgate-Palmolive, a global consumer products leader active in over 200 countries. We specialize in pet nutrition, driven by innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of pets and their owners worldwide. Our culture embraces inclusivity, sustainability, and values caring, courage, and inclusiveness. We offer enriching career development opportunities within a diverse and supportive environment.

Role Overview

As an Omni Channel Customer Development Manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition, you will play a crucial role in meeting ambitious sales goals through optimizing product placement and promotional activities across retail, online, and veterinary channels. Reporting directly to the New Zealand Country Manager, you will build and nurture strategic partnerships with customers to enhance sales and market positioning.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of customer accounts and sustain strong customer relationships.
• Develop and implement yearly business plans targeting retail, online, and veterinary sectors, negotiating trading terms to strengthen market standing.
• Handle customer profit and loss responsibility including product forecasting and planning.
• Oversee Commercial Value Planning by effectively allocating investments to various marketing and sales initiatives (7Ps) ensuring Hill's remains the preferred super-premium pet nutrition partner.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams on impactful joint business plan activities.
• Monitor and report market share and category performance metrics for assigned customers.
• Use data analytics to drive strategic discussions and return on investment-focused strategies.
• Meet sales targets adherent to investment guidelines and in alignment with brand strategies through thoughtful promotional planning.
• Work cross-functionally with Customer Development, Marketing, Digital, and Supply Chain teams to build business opportunities and ensure accurate planning.
• Ensure e-Commerce sales standards, including content quality and product launch schedules, are achieved.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a Customer Development Executive to align efforts with company objectives and values.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, commerce, or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in customer management roles.
• Preferred experience in pet industry or FMCG sectors.
• Strong abilities in strategic planning and relationship building.
• Effective communicator comfortable with diverse retail settings.
• Analytical thinker with strong data interpretation skills.
• Excellent prioritization skills and goal-driven mindset.
• Proficient in CRM systems, sales analytics tools, and office software like Google Suite or equivalents.
• Team-oriented with collaborative approach to meet both customer requirements and organizational objectives.

Experience in the pet industry is not mandatory as we nurture talent and share extensive knowledge as a leader in global pet nutrition.

Additional Information

• Workplace is primarily based in Auckland office with a hybrid work model requiring approximately 4 days onsite weekly.
• Travel expectations up to 20% of the role.
• Hill’s is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing accommodations during recruitment and encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
• We offer career development through training, mentoring, and iterative feedback to support ongoing growth and excellence.
• Compensation includes a competitive pay package, bonus incentives, and comprehensive benefits.
• The recruitment process includes resume submission with measurable achievements, assessments, tasks, and interviews to ensure culture and role fit.
• We prioritize sustainability and corporate social responsibility in our business practices and welcome applicants passionate about these areas.