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CHAMPAIGN-URBANA AREA JOBS

Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

Sales Lead, Emerging Customers

Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz

Sales & Business Development, Customer Service
Remote
Posted on Feb 10, 2026

Job Description

The Customer Sales Lead will drive Kraft Heinz selling efforts, Strategic development and including supply chain initiatives via the Customer Business Team (CBT). The position will lead a business structure organized around customers to enhance category focus. As the owner of your categories, you will demonstrate Kraft Heinz scale and brands at the customer level to drive the broader business strategies poised to develop profitable volume and share.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership

  • Mentors, manages, & coach’s direct reports through assessment of talent, providing constructive and timely feedback, and establishing practical development plans

  • Strategically develops high functioning work teams that empowers, grows, & recognizes/rewards employees

  • Facilitates cross‐functional experiences that build knowledge base for future growth of direct reports, others within the Non-Commercial & Chains segment, and Kraft Heinz Sales

  • Harnesses the power of diversity – thinking, background, and experience

Executional Excellence

  • Leads cross‐functional business planning and SME within emerging customers to drive strong performance through channel initiatives.

  • Develops, tracks, analyzes, and evaluates insightful business plans based on AFH priorities, customer strategies/initiatives and external factors to build total customer profit

  • Builds Kraft Heinz business with customer measured by profitability achievement, share gains, revenue targets, EBITA, Customer P&L, new and core item introductions/distribution

  • Communicates and influence implementation of business plans to enable superior execution across vital team members (i.e. Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Legal, Marketing, R&D).

  • Drives efficient and effective trade programs to deliver best return on investment.

  • Challenge both Kraft Heinz teams as well as external teams to drive creative ideas that capitalize on business opportunities

  • Joint Business Planning with large strategic customers.

Customer Excellence

  • Liaison to the customer and Kraft Heinz HQ Sales organization

  • Fosters relationships with C-Suite by establishing positive business relationships with decision makers & providing growth strategies that align to company earnings

  • Tailors programs consistent with customer’s strategy that deliver superior results and aligns with the business sectors’ expectations

  • Leads and/or assists with major business reviews and customer visits, including annual reviews and “top‐to‐top” meetings

  • A bias toward action. Entrepreneurial mentality, can make and own decisions. Embrace our “culture” of grit, action and perseverance.

  • Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, demonstrated by effective presentation, influence, and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Strong financial acumen to impact P&L management.

  • Command of business acumen and strong business intuition demonstrated by discernment that not every sales opportunity is equal and a track record of securing profitable volume and walking away from less profitable deals.

  • Experience in restaurant, culinary, and/or distributor industry preferred.

  • Think creatively and critically, can learn new concepts and seeks to resolve complex problems.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree required

  • Minimum 7 years in sales with significant experience in building customer relationships, preferably in a CPG environment

  • Strong financial competence inclusive of previous experience owning a P&L, proficiency in deploying trade, and understanding of profit and revenue drivers

  • Critical Thinking and Planning skills

  • Strong decision‐making ability centered around a drive for results

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$141,500.00 - $176,900.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

  • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

  • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

  • Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

  • Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Employee's Home - National

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.