Account Manager

MSI Express•Portage, IN

About The Position

The Account Manager manages and maintains strong customer relationships, processes orders accurately and on time, and oversees the flow of materials to meet customer demand. The role collaborates with production, logistics, quality control, procurement, supply chain, commercialization, and plant teams to support efficient operations and customer satisfaction. Responsibilities include customer relationship management and reporting; processing orders and preparing job files and project specifications; tracking fulfillment and communicating shortages; supporting material planning and inventory management; coordinating raw and packaging materials and deliveries; resolving customer, order, shipping, and quality issues; negotiating customer terms, pricing, and delivery schedules; managing contracts; analyzing order, purchasing, and inventory data; and supporting quality assurance and continuous improvement. The Account Manager also assists with new product launches and the development of customer, supplier, transportation, and logistics programs and policies, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED; the qualifications also list a bachelor's degree in a related field.
At least four years of experience in purchasing, material planning, purchasing, or materials management.
Food manufacturing experience.
Demonstrated track record of improving inventory accuracy, driving inventory reduction strategies, and reducing premium freight.
Strong math and typing skills.
Basic business acumen, strong attention to detail, and analytical skills.
Working knowledge of manufacturing, material flow, and improvement strategies, with the ability to integrate them into operations.
Excellent organizational, people, and project management skills, with the ability to communicate information to team members in a timely and concise manner.
Understanding of applicable computer systems, such as Microsoft Office, Nulogy, and Tableau.
Leadership capability.
Budget management capability.
Vendor and contractor management capability.
Metric development capability.
Ability to identify and propose potential solutions to production issues.
Demonstrated understanding of materials management.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong customer relationships and understand customer needs, preferences, and expectations.
Ensure customer reports and information are accurate and communicated promptly.
Use customer reporting systems, including SAP and Oracle, for scheduling, production, lot control, shipping, receiving, and procurement of customer-owned raw materials.
Assist with new product launches and collaborate with commercialization and site teams to meet timelines and targets.
Refer customer issues and complaints to appropriate departments, log them in the system, and follow up through resolution.
Receive and process customer orders; verify quantities, specifications, and delivery schedules.
Prepare job files and project specifications for internal processing and manufacturing for assigned customers.
Track order fulfillment and communicate product shortages and expected availability to customers.
Participate in material planning and drive improvements in inventory levels and turns while minimizing obsolescence, scrap, aged inventories, and reserves.
Analyze production yield, material usage, and material loss data to understand impacts on customers and materials.
Coordinate with production and procurement teams to maintain optimal inventory levels.
Collaborate with supply chain teams to procure raw materials and ingredients on time and oversee the supply of raw and packaging materials for the facility.
Coordinate with logistics teams to facilitate on-time customer deliveries.
Identify and address customer-related supply chain issues, order discrepancies, shipping delays, and quality concerns with relevant teams.
Communicate order status, changes, potential issues, customer requirements, and expectations to customers and internal teams.
Negotiate terms, pricing, and delivery schedules with customers and manage contracts and agreements for compliance.
Use data and analytics to track order performance, customer buying patterns, and inventory levels, and provide insights to management.
Ensure materials and products meet quality control standards before delivery and work with quality control teams to resolve quality issues.
Identify process optimization and efficiency improvements in customer material account management and stay informed about industry trends and best practices.
Assist in developing effective programs and policies for customer, supplier, transportation, and logistics management with Supply Chain and plant leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned.