Customer Development Manager - Retail

ABOUT THE GROUP

From a small store in Turin to a large, internationally recognized group: we are present in 90 countries around the world, with over 5,000 employees and 30 companies, managed directly and indirectly by the Luigi Lavazza Spa parent company, which distribute and market our products and coffee machines. In addition to Lavazza, the following brands are also part of our Group: Carte Noire, Merrild, Kicking Horse, Eraclea and Whittington tea.

Joining Lavazza means doing business with passion, knowing that the impact of our work goes beyond the quality of the production chain. We are a big family and are constantly looking for new talents who share our values and can enrich our team. We combine competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility as we create superior quality products available for consumption both at home and out of home, and distributed through all channels: Retail, Foodservice, Office Coffee Service (OCS), and Vending. Our strong, diversified presence enables us to offer consumers and clients perfectly suited solutions, for any occasion and time of day.

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JOB OVERVIEW

The Customer Development Manager is responsible for leading customer-level 4P planning and execution. This role ensures alignment of internal timelines with customer Joint Business Planning (JBP) calendars and deadlines, drives strategic customer engagement through annual selling stories, and supports both internal and external business reviews. The role collaborates cross-functionally with Sales, Revenue Growth Management (RGM), Retail Brokers, and Customers to deliver against strategic goals.

Location: New York, NY

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

•     Drive 4P execution with Lavazza, Brokers, and cross-functional teams (Sales, Marketing, RGM).
•     Lead monthly category and assortment reviews to identify gaps, deliver insights, and implement corrective actions.
•     Coordinate execution readiness for key promotional periods and support flawless activation with agency partners.
•     Facilitate monthly Customer Business Reviews to align on performance, priorities, and strategic direction.
•     Equip Sales and Brokers with strategic insights, selling stories, and materials for customer meetings.
•     Define and communicate customer planning calendars aligned with Joint Business Planning (JBP).
•     Lead quarterly/bi-annual Customer Business Reviews to support long-term planning and performance tracking.
•     Collaborate with Activation Home to define and maintain Customer Picture of Success (PICOS).
•     Align activation plans and budgets to amplify national and customer-specific priorities and drive KPIs.
•     Evaluate program ROI and recommend optimization strategies for future activations.
•     Cascade strategic guidance from National Category Management to customer level.
•     Align internal stakeholders across Leadership, Marketing, Sales, RGM, and Channel Strategy to deliver customer goals.
•     Share customer updates, wins, and risks in Local/HQ Business Reviews.
•     Partner with RGM, Sales, and Finance to build sustainable P&Ls and co-manage planning tools (TPM/Salesforce).
•     Ensure cross-functional collaboration to execute customer strategies and maintain alignment across teams.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Four year degree from an accredited institution, preferably in Business
• 5+ years working experience in CPG Trade Marketing, Category Management, Sales, Sales Planning or Marketing required
• Experience supporting Retail/eTail channels and customers requiredProficient in MS Office, with intermediate to advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint
• Experienced with syndicated retail data tools (e.g., Nielsen, IRI, Numerator) and eCommerce platforms (e.g., Amazon Retail Analytics, Market Share, Helium)
• Skilled in navigating matrix organizations, leveraging influence and negotiation to drive cross-functional collaboration
• Strong communicator, confident presenting to executive and cross-functional leadership both virtually and in person
• Adept at storytelling to diagnose complex business issues, visualize data, extract insights, and recommend clear action plans
• Thrives under tight deadlines and embraces performance-driven challenges
• Agile and adaptable in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments
• Highly collaborative with strong influencing skills across all organizational levels—from peers to executives

BENEFITS/PERKS

• Competitive Medical, Vision, Dental Benefits
• 401K Package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Hybrid Work Schedule
• Ability to be barista certified
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Performance Development Plans
• Employee Discounts
• Summer Friday’s (Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend)
• Flexible business casual dress code - jean friendly!
• Free coffee, anytime!

Lavazza is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Lavazza prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.