Key Account Manager I

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions•Saint Louis, MO

21h•Remote

About The Position

As a Key Account Manager I, you’ll own the relationship with our client, leading strategic initiatives to meet sales targets and manage budgets. You’ll work closely with wholesaler associates—such as buyers, category managers, and replenishment managers—to implement programs that drive performance. In this role, you will: Develop and execute strategic sales plans to meet business goals. Manage client relationships, making key decisions regarding trade fund spending. Collaborate with internal teams, including category management, schematics, and retail associates, to maximize sales. Drive client and customer success through data-driven decision-making, promotional strategies, and distribution optimization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in sales, grocery, or CPG industries.
Previous experience working with wholesalers/distributors.
Strong sales presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Highly organized and detail-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Knowledge of syndicated data with a proven ability to leverage insights.
Proven ability to navigate ambiguous situations and adapt to meet desired outcomes
Proven track record in sales.
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

Snack/confectionery/salty category experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Increase sales and distribution while managing promotional funds effectively.
Analyze trends and data to identify growth opportunities and present insights to clients.
Launch new strategies to drive innovation and incremental sales.
Conduct wholesalers' headquarters calls to strengthen key relationships and optimize retail pricing, schematics, and product distribution.
Develop compelling presentations using category management insights and syndicated data.
Ensure brand success by maintaining compliance with client goals for pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
Offers strategic input according to annual business plans, problem-solving, and ongoing customer management.
Finds the intersection of wholesaler and client objectives and drives win/win scenarios
Provides timely and fluid communication on Client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities to include all key stakeholders
Manages difficult situations, issues, and conflicts to get to an effective outcome
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 clients
Meets budgetary goals by maintaining strict control and accounting of accrual and bill-back funds for assigned clients
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 opportunities
Implements retailer headquarter calls and penetrate key positions at the retailer to:
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