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Career opportunities

Leadership Development Program

Quotes from our LDP alumni


Comprehensive Development

Over the course of 24 months, candidates learn the business while enjoying challenging work in the areas of consumer packaged goods Retail, Marketing and Sales.

Phase 1 - Retail:

As a Leadership Development Program (LDP) associate, you will spend your first six months as an assistant unit manager in the Retail area. During this phase you will be involved in various formal and on-the-job training and development experiences designed to build your skills and expertise in all aspects of retail planning, servicing and execution. You will be given responsibility for specific customers, routes and product lines and be provided with opportunities for supervisory and leadership skill development. During this phase the training and development activities are designed to:

  • Help you understand the food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry
  • Acquaint you with the Acosta organization (its business, culture, people, etc.)
  • Help you build customer/client relationships
  • Educate you on how to sell our clients' products
  • Build your self-leadership and supervisory leadership skills
  • Develop your expertise with retail specific technology

Phase 2 - Marketing:

Phase 2 of the program provides you with exposure to the Marketing area. You will enter this phase as an analyst and spend the next nine months working with an area Marketing team while learning the fundamentals of the discipline. During this phase the training and development activities are designed to:

  • Help you read, understand and interpret syndicated scanning data
  • Teach you how to manage resource information for marketing analysis work
  • Help you build customer/client relationships
  • Teach you how to create high impact client/customer presentations
  • Build your skills working as a cross-functional team member

Phase 3 - Sales:

The final phase of the program will introduce you to the Sales area. You will spend nine months as a business manager learning to effectively sell to customers and build business with manufacturers. This exposure will be focused on honing your selling, communication and negotiation skills. During this phase the training and development activities are designed to:

  • Teach you advanced selling skill techniques
  • Develop your consumer data planning, tracking and analysis expertise
  • Instruct you how to secure, prepare and conduct client "interviews"
  • Educate you on brand marketing
  • Teach you how to manage, grow and maximize your accounts

Mentor Relationships

In conjunction with the comprehensive training and development program, a mentoring program is implemented to help ensure success. Each mentor is a member of the Acosta management team. The mentor serves as a coach and confidant to assist their LDP associate through each step of the program. Information and communication is exchanged formally and informally between the LDP associate and mentor.

Strategic Career Pathing

Upon completion of the 24-month training program, mentors assist LDP associates in determining their career path. For some this may mean relocationg to another Acosta location.

If you have the ability, drive and desire to be successful, come discover the great career that Acosta can offer you.

At Acosta We Value:

PEOPLE… "People are the most important asset."
INTEGRITY… "We exemplify the highest degree of ethical behavior."
RESULTS… "We have the passion, pride and commitment to succeed."
TRUST… "We are in the business of building trusting relationships."
TEAMWORK… "We believe in the Power of One."
INNOVATION… "As change is always present we will progress through a combination of creativity, common sense and visionary leadership."
BALANCE… "Associate personal and professional growth is encouraged and supported."