National Account Manager – Grocery Retail (CPG)

We're Hiring!

Forever Cheese is a leading importer, manufacturer, and distributor of premium specialty cheeses and foods in the United States. For more than 25 years, the company has built a strong reputation for sourcing and delivering exceptional products from around the world to American consumers.

Forever Cheese is now expanding beyond its legacy import and specialty distribution business into branded specialty foods and value-added offerings designed for national retail grocery. This represents a significant strategic growth opportunity as the company scales its brands across major U.S. retailers.

Position Overview

Forever Cheese is seeking an experienced National Account Manager to drive retail expansion across major national grocery accounts. This is a high-impact, individual contributor role focused on new business development, not account maintenance.

The primary focus of this position is securing new item authorizations, expanding distribution, and cultivating strategic relationships with key retail buyers. The National Account Manager will report directly to the Director of Sales and will play a central role in building Forever Cheese’s national retail commercial strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Drive New Retail Distribution

• Identify and secure new product placements across targeted national retail accounts
• Develop and deliver compelling, data-driven product presentations to retail buyers
• Navigate category review cycles and retailer buying processes effectively
• Expand distribution and velocity within existing retail relationships

Build Strategic Retail Relationships

• Develop and maintain relationships with category managers, merchandisers, and key retail decision-makers
• Develop a thorough understanding of retailer organizational structures and internal buying processes
• Serve as the primary point of contact between retail partners and Forever Cheese

Contribute to Retail Growth Strategy

• Partner with internal marketing and product development teams on new item launches
• Provide input on pricing strategy, promotional planning, and merchandising initiatives
• Help define and refine the company’s playbook for managing and scaling national retail accounts

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with customer support and operations teams to ensure strong retail execution
• Work closely with leadership to align sales activity with broader business objectives

Key Accounts

This role will focus on the following strategic retail targets:

• Kroger
• Publix
• Ahold
• H-E-B
• Albertsons
• Club retailers, including Costco, BJ’s Wholesale, and Sam’s Club

Success in the First 12 Months

Within the first year, the National Account Manager will be expected to:

• Establish productive relationships with key category decision-makers at priority retail accounts
• Develop a clear understanding of each retailer’s organizational structure and buying process
• Advance multiple products through retailer sales cycles
• Position at least one product for retailer adoption
• Contribute to the development of a scalable internal framework for managing national retail accounts

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2–5 years of experience in CPG sales; 5–7 years strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience selling into national grocery retailers such as Kroger, Publix, Albertsons, or club channel accounts
• Proven success securing new item authorizations at large retail accounts
• Experience engaging with category management teams and navigating formal category review processes
• Strong command of retail pricing, promotions, and merchandising strategies
• Data-driven approach to sales with the ability to build and present compelling analytical cases

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) is strongly preferred
• Experience with premium or specialty food brands is a plus
• Familiarity with club channel dynamics and buying processes

Competencies for Success

• High degree of ownership, accountability, and self-direction
• Strong relationship-building skills with retail buyers and category managers
• Ability to navigate complex retail organizational structures
• Strategic thinking combined with disciplined execution
• Solutions-oriented approach with strong problem-solving capabilities

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $100,000 – $120,000, commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Fully remote position within the continental United States

Why Forever Cheese

This role offers a meaningful opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Forever Cheese’s growth. The National Account Manager will have direct visibility with senior leadership, significant influence over the company’s retail strategy, and the opportunity to build something of lasting commercial value.

For a commercially driven professional who thrives on new business development and building within complex retail environments, this position offers both substantial impact and long-term career opportunity.