Key Account Manager II

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions•Naperville, IL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Key Account Manager II This Key Account Manager II role is a specialized customer business management position supporting national natural and specialty distribution accounts rather than traditional retailer-facing account management. The position primarily supports manufacturer clients and their business with KeHE, acting as the liaison between clients, distributor partners, retail account teams, and internal cross-functional stakeholders. Take this opportunity to join North America’s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
5-10 years relevant experience
CPG, retail, distribution or less will be considered with food marketing and CPG-focused programs, particularly if they possess industry-specific training and internships
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
Track record of building and maintaining customer/client relationships
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, AI, and web browsers
Working knowledge of syndicated data and driving insights
Analytical skills, identifying trends and opportunities, use of data to influence recommendations and decisions
Navigate complex distributor issues
Troubleshoot supply chain and distribution challenges
Identify resources needed to solve problems
Take initiative and work through ambiguity
Independently drive solutions
4-6 years A solid track record of managing or working closely with key retailers, including department heads, category managers, buyers, and other retail stakeholders
Proven experience managing high-value accounts, developing long-term relationships, and delivering on customer objectives (e.g., sales growth, promotional execution).
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

Working with Natural Distributors is a plus

Responsibilities

Distributor relationship management
Client support and execution
Business analytics and insight generation
Problem solving and issue resolution
Cross-functional coordination
Managing complex customer and distributor relationships
Drive our clients’ business at assigned customer. Increase distribution, grow sales dollars/units/share/other KPI’s, while staying on spend
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