Key Account Manager II

Advantage Solutions•Berwyn, IL

6d•$61,900 - $98,250

About The Position

The Key Account Manager II is a salesperson responsible for meeting sales quotas and expense budgets for assigned clients. The role manages sales programs, promotional spending, distribution levels, shelf placement, and strategic planning initiatives. Clients are manufacturers, vendors, or brands that have contracted Advantage as their sales force; customers are the retailers, wholesalers, or distributors to whom those clients’ brands are sold. The position owns client relationships and collaborates with clients to develop strategic plans, while working with retailer associates—including buyers, category managers, and replenishment managers—to implement programs through headquarters calls. It makes decisions about the use of clients’ trade funds and signs, implements, and executes customer contracts on clients’ behalf. The role also works closely with internal teams to increase sales volume in the market and may serve one or multiple clients. The company provides outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers and suppliers, particularly in food products and consumer packaged goods. The position is primarily office-based and sedentary, with travel up to 20%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in sales, grocery, and CPG.
4–6 years of experience in the field of study or area of experience.
A solid track record 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 customer objectives such as sales growth and promotional execution.
Proven track record in sales.
Strong sales presentation and development skills.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and relationship-development skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Working knowledge of syndicated data and the ability to derive insights.
Intermediate or advanced computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web browsers.
Conflict-management skills and demonstrated ability to provide cross-functional leadership.
Well-organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Flexible and adaptable to changing projects or business environments.
Ability to complete multiple duties accurately while shifting between tasks amid interruptions and competing deadlines.
Ability to travel up to 20%; travel and driving are essential duties.
Ability to perform essential job functions in an office environment, including extended sitting, hearing telephone communications, entering computer data, and potentially lifting up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

Drive client business at assigned customers by increasing distribution, sales, units, share, and other KPIs while staying within budget.
Ensure retail and merchandising execution, as well as basic eCommerce execution.
Achieve income and expense targets through promotional and marketing strategies.
Analyze trends and results, identify growth opportunities, and make recommendations to clients and customers.
Manage promotional spending, accruals, and bill-back funds within client guidelines and trade budgets; avoid overspending and meet fund-balance expectations.
Meet or exceed client goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
Develop strategies to pursue new opportunities.
Conduct retailer headquarters calls and build relationships with key retailer positions.
Manage manufacturer marketing and promotional funds within financial guidelines to achieve sales goals.
Keep retail pricing and indirect order guides current by regularly correcting discrepancies.
Secure client-approved schematics for client brands and coordinate with schematic, reset, and retail departments.
Drive incremental sales through distribution of new products and maintenance of existing SKUs.
Work with category management to develop retailer presentations using database insights, including SKU optimization, promotion causal data, and lift analysis.
Manage accounts to achieve targeted ACV on innovation.
Build and maintain effective client and retailer relationships and ensure access to key stakeholders.
Develop sales presentations for customers and clients that demonstrate accomplishments and opportunities.
Provide strategic input for annual business plans, problem-solving, and ongoing customer management; align retailer and client objectives to create win-win outcomes.
Communicate client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities promptly to relevant stakeholders.
Manage difficult situations, issues, and conflicts to reach effective outcomes.
May delegate work and provide guidance, direction, and mentoring to indirect reports; has no direct reports.