Key Account Manager- Chicago, IL

Eatery Essentials • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

About Us: Eatery Essentials, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative food packaging solutions tailored to the needs of the retailers, food manufactures, restaurant, and food service industries. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drives us to deliver exceptional products that enhance the packaging use experience. Position Overview: Eatery Essentials is seeking a strategic, customer-focused Key Account Manager (KAM) to lead and grow a defined portfolio of strategic grocery, processor, and foodservice accounts. This role is responsible for owning the full commercial relationship with assigned key customers—driving profitable. Strategic Account Ownership Serve as the primary commercial owner for assigned key accounts, developing long-term account strategies aligned with customer business objectives and Eatery Essentials’ growth goals. Build trusted, multi-level relationships across customer organizations, including procurement, operations, merchandising, quality, and sustainability teams. Act as the customer’s internal advocate while balancing margin, capacity, and operational realities. Sales Growth & Account Development Drive profitable growth within existing accounts through SKU expansion, innovation adoption, and value-added packaging solutions. Identify whitespace opportunities, lead pricing strategies, and manage contract renewals and negotiations. Develop annual account plans, volume forecasts, and growth initiatives tied to measurable outcomes. Packaging & Solution Management Lead packaging solution development for assigned accounts, including: Requesting and managing samples Coordinating pricing and cost analysis Supporting new product development and tooling discussions Translate customer needs into clear internal requirements related to specifications, materials, sustainability goals, and performance expectations. Cross-Functional Leadership Collaborate closely with operations, supply chain, product development, quality, and marketing to ensure flawless execution of customer programs. Communicate customer specifications, forecasts, and project timelines clearly and proactively to internal stakeholders. Support issue resolution related to service, quality, or supply disruptions with urgency and professionalism. Market & Business Insight Maintain a strong understanding of packaging trends, materials, sustainability initiatives, and competitive dynamics relevant to assigned accounts. Provide insights that help position Eatery Essentials as a strategic packaging partner, not just a supplier. Account Administration & Reporting Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts, and pipeline updates for assigned accounts. Monitor account profitability, pricing discipline, and volume commitments. Support collections follow-up as needed in partnership with finance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Packaging Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in account management or sales within the packaging or foodservice industry.
• Proven track record of managing national accounts and achieving sales targets.
• Strong understanding of packaging materials and trends in the food industry.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze data, create reports, and leverage insights to drive decision-making.
• Proficient in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary commercial owner for assigned key accounts, developing long-term account strategies aligned with customer business objectives and Eatery Essentials’ growth goals.
• Build trusted, multi-level relationships across customer organizations, including procurement, operations, merchandising, quality, and sustainability teams.
• Act as the customer’s internal advocate while balancing margin, capacity, and operational realities.
• Drive profitable growth within existing accounts through SKU expansion, innovation adoption, and value-added packaging solutions.
• Identify whitespace opportunities, lead pricing strategies, and manage contract renewals and negotiations.
• Develop annual account plans, volume forecasts, and growth initiatives tied to measurable outcomes.
• Lead packaging solution development for assigned accounts, including: Requesting and managing samples Coordinating pricing and cost analysis Supporting new product development and tooling discussions
• Translate customer needs into clear internal requirements related to specifications, materials, sustainability goals, and performance expectations.
• Collaborate closely with operations, supply chain, product development, quality, and marketing to ensure flawless execution of customer programs.
• Communicate customer specifications, forecasts, and project timelines clearly and proactively to internal stakeholders.
• Support issue resolution related to service, quality, or supply disruptions with urgency and professionalism.
• Maintain a strong understanding of packaging trends, materials, sustainability initiatives, and competitive dynamics relevant to assigned accounts.
• Provide insights that help position Eatery Essentials as a strategic packaging partner, not just a supplier.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts, and pipeline updates for assigned accounts.
• Monitor account profitability, pricing discipline, and volume commitments.
• Support collections follow-up as needed in partnership with finance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level