Account Manager

Great Northern • Des Plaines, IL

3d

About The Position

Great Northern Instore, a division of Great Northern Corporation, designs, engineers, and manufactures custom permanent point-of-purchase displays and retail fixtures. The Account Manager is a consultative business development role requiring an understanding of customer needs, category dynamics, shopper behavior, and brand strategy. The position combines market insights, creative thinking, and strategic problem-solving to develop solutions that address customer challenges and support business objectives.

The Account Manager builds trusted customer relationships, identifies new business opportunities, and collaborates with internal teams to develop solutions that deliver value beyond the physical display. The role involves strategic customer discussions as well as managing the details required to bring programs from concept through execution. Compensation is a full-time base salary, with the salary based on an agreement for up to three years. Travel is required as needed.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of sales experience in the in-store marketing, point-of-purchase display, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success in new business development, established customer relationships, and a verifiable track record of generating business.
• Knowledge of permanent display materials, manufacturing processes, and production capabilities.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence senior-level decision-makers and collaborate effectively across functions.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including pricing, proposals, and contract negotiations.
• Strategic thinking, sound business judgment, and the ability to translate strategy into action.
• A stable, progressive career history demonstrating professional growth and results.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and collaborative, with willingness to travel as needed.
• Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions, meet productivity standards, and maintain regular, punctual attendance.
• Pride in work, punctuality, safe and effective teamwork, optimism, ownership of responsibilities, and interest in continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business development and build a strong pipeline across brands, retailers, and consumer categories.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with senior-level decision-makers across marketing, branding, and sourcing.
• Identify new market opportunities, expand existing accounts, and pursue cross-divisional business opportunities.
• Develop customer-specific strategies informed by shopper marketing trends, competitive intelligence, and customer needs.
• Partner with design, engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and other internal teams to develop customer solutions.
• Lead proposals, presentations, and business cases that demonstrate value and differentiate GNI's capabilities.
• Manage pricing, contract negotiations, forecasting, and profitability in support of business objectives.
• Share market insights, competitive trends, and customer feedback to support business strategy and continuous improvement.
• Travel as needed to develop customer relationships and support business development activities.

Benefits

• Competitive 401(k) match and historically generous profit-sharing retirement savings contribution.
• Paid time off and Illinois Paid Leave after 30 days of employment.
• Nine paid holidays.
• Medical PPO, health savings account, dental, and vision insurance.
• Wellness program.
• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage available.
• Annual reimbursement for health fitness, safety prescription glasses, and safety shoes.
• Tuition reimbursement available after one year of service.
• Opportunities for career advancement and increased compensation.
• Annual increases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed