National Account Manager, ALT Channels

Company Description

Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.

Now, as part of Flowers Foods , we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste.

Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company , and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health , and NPR’s How I Built This . In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces , reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.

Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at .

Role Description

As NAM, Alternative Channels / Away From Home, you will help build and execute the growth strategy for our Alternative Channels / Away From Home, business, with primary responsibility for Convenience and Drug, while supporting expansion into other emerging channels such as travel and foodservice.

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Club & Alternative / Away from Home Channels, you will play a key role in evolving usage and activating our channel growth plans, managing key customer relationships, and identifying opportunities to expand distribution, drive sales, and build long-term channel capabilities.

This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You will inherit and grow portions of an existing alternative channels business, including responsibilities transitioning into the Better for You Business Unit, while helping establish the playbook for future growth across Convenience, Drug, engorging channel within the Away from Home.

Responsibilities:

• Lead execution of the Alternative / Away From Home Channels growth strategy, with primary ownership of Convenience and Drug and support for other emerging retail channels.

• Partner with the Sr. Director of Club & Alternative / Away From Home Channels to evolve and activate the long-term channel strategy, identifying new opportunities for growth, distribution expansion, and customer development.

• Manage key customer, broker, and distributor relationships across assigned channels and accounts.

• Assume ownership of existing Alternative Channel business transitioning into the BFY Business Unit and develop plans to accelerate growth and improve execution.

• Develop and execute customer business plans , including assortment recommendations, pricing and promotional strategies, distribution expansion, and new item launches.

• Build compelling, data-driven selling stories and business cases that influence customer decisions and support channel growth objectives.

• Own forecasting, account planning, trade management, and performance tracking across assigned customers and channels.

• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Finance, Operations, Innovation, and Category Management to support commercialization, customer execution, and channel expansion.

• Represent the voice of the customer internally while balancing channel needs, brand priorities, and long-term business objectives.

• Support management of broker and distributor relationships to ensure strong in-market execution and customer service.

• Monitor channel trends, shopper behavior, competitive activity, and emerging retail formats to identify opportunities that strengthen our long-term Alternative Channels strategy.

• Performs other projects as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5-8 years of progressive CPG sales experience with required Convenience, Drug, distributor-led businesses, away from home and other alternative retail channels.
• Experience owning customer relationships and delivering growth through direct customer management, broker networks, or distributor partnerships.
• Travel requirement up to 50%, while being remotely based. Ideally based out of the Chicago, IL area Mill Valley, CA
• Attend trade shows industry events and customer meetings to gain, maintain and grow relationships and opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to channel strategy development while successfully executing growth objectives.
• Strong commercial acumen across forecasting, promotional planning, trade management, distribution expansion, and customer planning.
• Experience leveraging syndicated and customer data (Circana/IRI, Nielsen, SPINS, distributor reporting, retailer portals, etc.) to identify opportunities and build persuasive selling stories.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive results in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• Strong analytical, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to balance strategic thinking and day-to-day execution.
• Passion for better-for-you food and familiarity with the consumer-packaged goods industry.

Benefits

Working at Simple Mills

At Simple Mills, we’re not just building a brand, we’re leading a movement that’s transforming how food is made and enjoyed. If you’re passionate about purpose-driven work and crave a role where you can have a meaningful impact, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Why Join Us?

• Be a Change-Maker
  Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and contribute to a healthier planet.
• Thrive in a Mission-Driven Community
  Work alongside a dynamic team of innovators and food lovers who are committed to positive change and bold ideas.
• A Workplace Where You Belong
  
  We foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of our culture, ensuring that everyone can thrive.
• A Culture of Integrity and Impact
  We don’t just talk about doing good, we live it. Our team is committed to ethical practices, responsible sourcing, and making decisions that drive real, positive change.
• Grow with People-First Leadership
  
  Our supportive leadership team is dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and your long-term success.
• Continuous Learning & Development
  Whether through hands-on training, innovative learning platforms, or career growth opportunities, we invest in your professional development.

At Simple Mills, you’ll have the chance to make an impact while working in a collaborative and inspiring environment. If you’re ready to shape the future of food, let’s talk.

Benefits

We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a highly competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, health, and overall quality of life. 

• Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $125,000 to $150,000
• Annual Bonus Opportunity: Eligible for an annual bonus as part of our commitment to recognizing team contributions and company success.
• Holistic Benefits: A variety of health, financial, and wellness programs to help you feel your best and plan for the future.
• Time to Recharge: We believe your best work comes when you have space to rest, refocus, and show up fully—our time off approach is built with that in mind.
• Everyday Well-Being: From lifestyle perks to innovation shipments, we find meaningful ways to support you in living simply and feeling well.

We’re committed to taking care of our people—so you can focus on making an impact. 

Work Model at Simple Mills

Our work model is role-dependent and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team.

• Remote working may be considered for qualified candidates from a designated location in the United States (the new hire’s permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) if willing and able to travel regularly to the Chicago office. Sufficient internet access to support video conferencing required.

At Simple Mills, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications. #LI-DNI

Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].