Key Account Manager I

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions•Springfield, MO

19h

About The Position

The Key Account Manager I drives sales growth, distribution, and execution for assigned customer accounts. The role partners with internal teams—including Customer Managers, Order Entry, Claims, Category Management, Schematics, and Retail Services—to achieve client objectives and grow sales volume within assigned markets. The position may support multiple client accounts, including pioneering clients seeking to establish distribution, regional clients engaging services on a market- or customer-specific basis, and Tier 3 clients with smaller sales volumes, SKU counts, and revenue contributions. The Key Account Manager manages customer and client relationships, sales execution, and business growth initiatives. The role supports retail merchandising and basic eCommerce execution, analyzes performance data, manages promotional and trade funds, engages retailer headquarters, maintains pricing and order information, secures approved schematics, and collaborates on retailer presentations and business plans. Travel and driving are essential functions, and travel of up to 20% may be required. The position is primarily performed in an office environment and has no direct or indirect supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
1–3 years of experience in sales, account management, consumer packaged goods, retail, or a related field is preferred.
Strong sales presentation, negotiation, and business development skills.
Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
Working knowledge of syndicated data and category insights.
Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Effective conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Flexible and adaptable to changing business needs and priorities.
Ability to manage multiple projects accurately and meet deadlines.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data and identify growth opportunities.
Self-motivated, able to work independently, and able to drive results.
Ability to travel and drive as an essential function of the job; travel up to 20% may be required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
1–3 years of experience in an applicable field.

Responsibilities

Drive business growth in assigned accounts by increasing distribution, sales, market share, and other key performance indicators while staying within budget guidelines.
Ensure effective retail merchandising execution and support basic eCommerce initiatives.
Achieve sales, income, and expense targets through marketing and promotional strategies.
Analyze sales trends, results, and performance data to identify growth opportunities and recommend strategies to clients and customers.
Manage promotional spending, trade funds, accruals, bill-back programs, and period-ending fund balances in accordance with budgets and financial guidelines.
Meet or exceed client objectives for sales, distribution, market share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities and manage existing SKU portfolios while driving distribution of new products.
Lead retailer headquarters calls and build relationships with retailer decision-makers and other key stakeholders.
Maintain accurate retail pricing and indirect order guides by identifying and resolving discrepancies.
Secure client-approved schematics and planograms by coordinating with schematic, reset, and retail teams.
Collaborate with category management to develop retailer presentations using database rationale, SKU optimization, promotion causal data, and lift analysis.
Manage accounts toward targeted ACV on innovation.
Develop sales presentations for customers and clients that demonstrate results and opportunities.
Provide strategic input for annual business plans, problem-solving, and ongoing customer management; identify win-win outcomes that align retailer and client objectives.
Communicate client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities to relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.
Manage difficult situations, issues, and conflicts to reach effective outcomes.