Key Account Manager I

Advantage Solutions•Clayton, MO

About The Position

In this role, you’ll manage relationships and drive results for a diverse mix of clients while ensuring smooth implementation of programs. You’ll work with pioneering manufacturers entering new markets, regional partners with unique needs, and smaller tier 3 clients with limited product lines. If you’re passionate about building connections, solving challenges, and making an impact across multiple client segments, this is the opportunity for you. This position also works closely with internal Advantage Solutions associates such as Customer Managers and order entry, claims, category management, schematics and retail associates to increase sales volume within a market. The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience
1-3 years of experience in applicable field
Strong sales presentation and development skills
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
Working knowledge of syndicated data
Intermediate or advanced computer skills
Strong written communication and verbal communication skills
Conflict management skills
Demonstrated ability to provide cross-functional leadership
Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
Flexible and adaptable, able to change and alter according to changes in projects or business environment
Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy shifting from one to another with frequent interruptions and competing deadlines

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree

Responsibilities

Drive our clients’ business at assigned customer. Increase distribution, grow sales dollars/units/share/other KPI’s, while staying within budget guidelines
Responsible for ensuring retail/merchandising execution and basic eCommerce execution
Achieves targeted income and expense budgets by implementing promotional and marketing strategies
Analyzes trends and results to identify growth opportunities and makes recommendations to clients and customers
Monitors and drives growth through efficient management of promotional spending within guidelines on assigned client
Meets budgetary goals by maintaining strict control and accounting of accrual and bill-back funds for assigned client
Meets expectation for managing period ending fund balance performance with no overspends vs. trade budget.
Meets or exceeds Client’s goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume
Launches strategies to pursue new opportunitiesImplements retailer headquarter calls and penetrate key positions at the retailer to: o Achieve sales goals by managing and maximizing manufacturer marketing and promotional funds while staying within financial guidelines
Ensure that all retail pricing and indirect order guides within the division is updated by regularly correcting discrepancies
Secure Client approved schematics for all Clients’ brands by providing direction and communication to our schematic, reset, and retail departments
Ensure incremental sales through distribution of new products and maintenance of existing SKU’s
Collaborate with category management team to develop retailer presentations by using database rationale such as SKU optimization, efficient promotion causal data, and lift analysis
Manage accounts to achieve the targeted ACV on Innovation
Builds and maintains effective client and retailer relationships in order to ensure customer access and client perspective that we are connected and engaged with key stakeholders
Demonstrates sales accomplishments and areas of opportunity by developing sales presentations for Customers and Clients
Implements Customer HQ Calls and demonstrates an ability to penetrate key positions at the retailer
Offers strategic input pursuant to annual business plans, problem solving, ongoing customer management. Finds the intersection of retailer and client objectives and drive win/win scenarios
Provides timely and fluid communication on Client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities to include all necessary people and information
Manages difficult situations, issues and conflicts to get to an effective outcome