Sales Operations & Customer Development Specialist

The Sales Operations & Customer Development Specialist plays a critical role in supporting Jacent’s Customer Development team and maintaining strong partnerships with retail customers. This role manages key operational, administrative, and analytical functions that support the DSD and wholesale business channels.    The position ensures accurate item and data management, efficient sales operations, and seamless coordination between customers and internal teams. The specialist acts as a central point of coordination across external customers, sales, product, replenishment, distribution, and business systems to support customer programs, maintain operational accuracy, and deliver Jacent’s commitment to exceptional service.  Success in this role requires strong analytical capabilities, operational discipline, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives while maintaining clear communication with both internal stakeholders and external partners. The role contributes directly to customer satisfaction, sales performance visibility, and the operational efficiency of Jacent’s customer development programs.  Essential Duties & Responsibilities  Sales Operations & Customer Support  Manage operational, administrative, and logistical processes supporting the Customer Development department across DSD and wholesale.  Serve as a key internal point of contact for customer operational needs, coordinating cross-functional support and facilitating timely issue resolution.  Partner with Strategic Account Executives (SAEs) to support account management activities and ensure the successful execution of customer programs, initiatives, and product launches.  Monitor customer service levels and proactively address operational challenges impacting customer performance.  Respond to customer inquiries, requests, and operational issues in a timely and professional manner while maintaining strong business relationships.  Support documentation and communication of customer processes, program guidelines, and operational procedures.  Item Management & Data Integrity  Manage and support item setup, cost updates, SKU audits, and item maintenance across customer and internal systems.  Ensure accurate product and vendor onboarding and maintain alignment between customer systems and Jacent internal systems.  Partner with the Business Systems Administrator to maintain accurate item authorization and data integrity.  Identify and resolve data discrepancies that may impact order processing, replenishment, reporting, or sales execution.  Sales Analysis & Reporting  Track, analyze, and report on sales performance against targets, forecasts, and budget expectations.  Develop and maintain regular reporting dashboards that provide visibility into sales trends, product performance, and program outcomes.  Translate customer data, POS reports, and operational metrics into actionable insights for the Strategic Account Executive team.  Identify emerging sales opportunities, product performance trends, and areas for operational improvement.  Support sales planning activities by providing analytical insights and performance tracking.  Customer Programs & Project Coordination  Manage and report on customer program status, including item activation, authorization, and program execution.  Coordinate cross-functional projects with teams including Store Operations, Replenishment, Distribution, Supply Chain, and Customer Development.  Plan, track, and communicate the progress of multiple simultaneous initiatives and projects.  Maintain clear communication on project milestones, program status, and potential risks impacting execution.  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  Ability to analyze complex datasets and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.  Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).   Knowledge of retail merchandising programs, customer program execution, and operational workflows.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across all levels of the organization.  Ability to manage multiple priorities, track projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.  Detail-oriented with strong organizational and process management skills.  Demonstrated ability to identify operational issues, analyze root causes, and recommend effective solutions.  Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build productive relationships with customers and internal partners.  Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.  Commitment to delivering responsive, professional, and solution-oriented customer service.    Experience and Credentials  Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience preferred  Experience in sales operations, account support, wholesale operations, or customer development preferred.  Experience working with inventory management, order fulfillment, or enterprise business systems is a plus.  Physical & Work Environment Requirements  Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, trainings, or customer engagements.  Must be able to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via digital platforms. 

Created: 2026-03-17