Key Account Manager I

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions•San Antonio, TX

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Key Account Manager I drives sales growth, distribution, and retail execution for assigned customer accounts. The role works closely with internal teams—including Customer Managers, Order Entry, Claims, Category Management, Schematics, and Retail Services—to meet client objectives and grow sales in assigned markets. The position may support multiple manufacturer accounts, including pioneering, regional, and Tier 3 clients, and is responsible for customer relationship management, client engagement, sales execution, and business growth initiatives. The role develops and implements sales, marketing, and promotional strategies; analyzes sales and category data; manages promotional spending, trade funds, accruals, and bill-backs; and works toward client goals for sales, distribution, market share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume. It also engages retailer headquarters and key decision-makers, coordinates pricing and order-guide updates, secures approved schematics, supports new product distribution and existing SKU portfolios, and collaborates with category management on retailer presentations. The position has no direct or indirect supervisory responsibilities. Travel and driving are essential duties, with travel of up to 20% possible. Work is primarily performed in an office environment with sedentary requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience required.
1–3 years of experience in sales, account management, consumer packaged goods, retail, or a related field 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, including the 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 position; travel may be up to 20%.
Ability to perform office-based sedentary work, including sitting for extended periods (66% or more of the day), hearing a telephone, entering data on a computer, and potentially lifting up to 10 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Experience in sales, account management, consumer packaged goods, retail, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Drive sales, distribution, market share, and other performance indicators for assigned accounts while staying within budget guidelines.
Ensure retail merchandising execution and support basic eCommerce execution.
Achieve sales, income, and expense targets through promotional and marketing strategies.
Analyze sales trends and results to identify growth opportunities and recommend actions to clients and customers.
Manage promotional spending, trade funds, accruals, bill-backs, and period-ending fund balances to meet budget goals and prevent overspending.
Meet or exceed client goals for sales, distribution, market share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities and strategies.
Lead retailer headquarters calls and build relationships with key retailer decision-makers.
Maximize manufacturer marketing and promotional investments while following financial guidelines.
Keep retail pricing and indirect order guides accurate by regularly identifying and resolving discrepancies.
Secure client-approved schematics for client brands by coordinating with schematic, reset, and retail teams.
Drive incremental sales through new product distribution and management of existing SKUs.
Collaborate with category management to develop retailer presentations using data such as SKU optimization, promotional causal data, and lift analysis.
Manage accounts toward targeted ACV on innovation.
Build and maintain effective client and retailer relationships and maintain engagement with key stakeholders.
Develop sales presentations for customers and clients showing accomplishments and growth opportunities.
Provide strategic input for annual business plans, problem-solving, and ongoing customer management; identify mutually beneficial 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.