Experienced Customer Development Manager – Remote Texas | HEB Account Leadership | Vitamins, Supplements & Functional Nutrition Portfolio

About arenaflex

At arenaflex, we believe that nutrition, science, and wellness must merge, not collide. Here, we embrace the intrinsic connections of these three pillars, harnessing their collective strength to empower healthier lives. Our broad product portfolio includes renowned brands in the vitamins, supplements, and functional nutrition space — spanning whole-food nutrition, sports recovery, hydration, plant-based proteins, and specialized medical nutrition. We also bring extensive pharmaceutical expertise to the table, offering innovative products that aim to prevent, manage, and treat gastrointestinal and metabolic-related conditions.

At arenaflex, we bring our best for better lives. Our people are challenged to bring fresh, diverse views and make bold moves to empower healthier lives through nutrition. We know brilliant ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. Here, we embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and collaborate with teams that champion focused and forward thinking. We are committed to fostering professional growth and celebrating the achievements of our people along the way. We offer dynamic career paths, robust development, opportunities to learn from talented colleagues around the globe, and benefits that support physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Join us to innovate for impact and reimagine the future of health and nutrition for patients and consumers.

Position Summary

The Customer Development Manager is a high-impact, remote-based role (located in Texas) responsible for the functional management, leadership, and execution of all sales-related activities for the HEB account. This individual will own the strategic relationship with one of the most influential grocery banners in the Southwest and serve as a critical commercial bridge between arenaflex and HEB's buying, category management, and merchandising teams.

The successful candidate will support cross-functional teams using arenaflex's enterprise systems (TIM and Osprey) and collaborate closely with customer-side systems to drive mutual growth. This role will primarily champion five powerhouse brands: Garden of Life, Solgar, Vital Proteins, Orgain, and Nuun — each with distinct consumer bases, category dynamics, and growth trajectories.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Account Leadership & Relationship Building

• Develop strategic, winning relationships throughout HEB at the buyer, category captain, and divisional level, with particular focus on divisional wins including displays, distribution gains, ACV (All Commodity Volume) enhancement, and incremental shelf presence.
• Establish strong working relationships with all internal teams including Customer Strategy, Finance, and Customer Service to ensure seamless execution of joint business plans.
• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of HEB's go-to-market model, including its Category Management strategy, private label positioning, and regional merchandising nuances.
• Deliver the target budget plan, new product distribution goals, and category growth commitments on time and on strategy.

Sales Planning, Execution & Insights

• Execute the brand and category growth strategy in a way that aligns with HEB's commercial objectives and consumer needs.
• Identify new opportunities for growth, and develop and implement strategic written sales plans in accordance with corporate goals.
• Maintain a clear understanding of customer objectives and liaise with the Regional Vice President (RVP) to develop operational plans that manage execution and measure results against KPIs.
• Foster and grow existing and new relationships within the account, gaining a deep understanding of current and potential future needs of our customers.
• Educate business partners on our products, retail goals, and measurement of success — serving as a trusted category advisor.

Customer Presentations & Trade Marketing

• Deliver persuasive customer presentations that demonstrate innovation, shelf positioning, promotional plans, and pricing strategies.
• Manage daily business in partnership with customers, including UPC product and item setup, maintenance, logistics, and inventory management.
• Sell in new products and all promotions to qualified retailers; ensure full-line distribution of products (new and existing items).
• Work with customers to implement retail initiatives and monitor retail standards across stores.
• Manage ongoing contracts with a focus on strategic alignment designed to strengthen both the customer's and arenaflex's market position.

Trade Investment Management & Financial Stewardship

• Work with agencies to input Trade Investment Management (TIM and Osprey) data — including system input, trade fund management, direct sales forecasting, and projection activities for the company.
• Demonstrate strong trade management and budget processing skills with an efficiency focus that delivers a strong return on investment.
• Produce monthly reporting, sales analytics, and actionable insights; understand the go-to-market strategy and know how to maximize sales efficiency.
• Manage P&L responsibilities within the respective account coverage, ensuring profitable growth and disciplined trade spend.
• Perform other duties as required to support the broader team and account objectives.

Qualifications and Education

Essential Requirements

• Experience: At least 2 years managing large customers is required, though 5+ years is strongly desired. A proven track record of growing key accounts in retail or consumer goods is essential.
• Education: A Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field is preferred but not required. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Channel Experience: Sales experience in the Grocery, Drug, and/or Mass retail channel(s) is required.
• Industry Background: Experience in consumer goods, and specifically in the vitamins and supplements category, is highly preferred.
• Data Fluency: Prior experience using syndicated data (e.g., Nielsen, Circana/IRI, SPINS) to determine customer needs and establish the most effective pricing and promotional activities that will increase sales and market share.
• Project Management: Knowledge of project management principles, with experience setting up and managing projects in a complex, fast-moving environment.
• Relationship Management: A demonstrated mindset and experience working with partners in building initiatives that deliver on goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong track record of building cross-functional relationships with assigned accounts.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and comfortable working within enterprise trade management systems.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and multiple brands or categories simultaneously without sacrificing quality or attention to detail.
• High level of organization, accountability, and ownership over results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into compelling narratives for internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• A bias for action, comfort with ambiguity, and the resilience to thrive in a dynamic, growth-oriented organization.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a collaborative, team-first approach.

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation: A robust base salary plus performance-based bonus opportunities tied to account and brand growth.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings plans with company match, paid time off, parental leave, and wellness programs.
• Career Development: Access to dynamic career paths, leadership development programs, and the ability to learn from talented colleagues across a global organization.
• Brand Portfolio: The opportunity to shape the future of some of the most loved and fastest-growing brands in vitamins, supplements, and functional nutrition.
• Remote Flexibility: A home-based remote role in Texas with the autonomy to manage your schedule and customer relationships, paired with travel expectations for key account meetings and industry events.
• Innovation Culture: A workplace that encourages bold ideas, embraces diverse perspectives, and rewards impact.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

At arenaflex, you will join a team that genuinely believes better nutrition changes lives. Our culture is built on collaboration, curiosity, and a relentless focus on delivering results for our customers and consumers. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We celebrate individuality, champion growth, and support the wellbeing of every member of our team. Whether you are presenting to senior buyers, analyzing syndicated data late at night, or celebrating a category win with your peers, you will be surrounded by people who care deeply about their craft and the consumers they serve.

Your Next Step

If you are a results-driven account leader with a passion for nutrition, deep retail acumen, and the energy to grow one of the most important accounts in our portfolio, we want to hear from you. This is your opportunity to join a company that values bold thinking, professional growth, and the kind of meaningful work that helps millions of people live healthier lives. Bring your fresh perspective, your commercial instincts, and your relentless drive for impact. Bring your best to arenaflex — and help us reimagine the future of health and nutrition for patients and consumers. Apply today and let's build something extraordinary together.