National Account Executive

LEAHY-IFP•Glenview, IL

7d•$120,000 - $145,000•Onsite

About The Position

Finlays Solutions is a leading partner to the B2B beverage manufacturing industry, recognized for its deep expertise, strong industry relationships, and commitment to innovation. The company plays a central role in supporting beverage brands, flavor houses, private label partners, and manufacturers through high-quality products, technical capabilities, and collaborative problem-solving. With a strong presence in the ready-to-drink beverage market, Finlays Solutions focuses on identifying emerging opportunities, expanding into new market spaces, and delivering solutions that meet evolving customer and consumer needs. Finlays Solutions operates with a strong commitment to its mission, values, ethics, and long term goals, ensuring that every initiative reflects the company’s dedication to integrity, partnership, and sustainable success. Are you a sales professional that also loves coffee, tea, refreshers, or other natural beverages? At Finlays Solutions, we’re the brand behind the biggest brands in the beverage category. We’re looking for someone who can use their skills to help position Finlays Solutions as the go-to beverage provider for globally recognized beverage brands. This is a high-initiative, customer centric role for someone who loves navigating complex structures and building new business through relationships. We are seeking an experienced National Account Sales Executive to lead and grow relationships with high-profile national & global restaurant and food service chain accounts. This role is designed for a proactive communicator who is obsessive with customer success, white-space expansion, and connecting cross-functional teams to launch new beverages. The National Account Sales Executive will be responsible for managing and growing strategic relationships with large, complex food service chain accounts and brands. The ideal candidate understands how operators, distributors, and suppliers collaborate to bring menu innovation to market and execute flawlessly at scale. This individual will lead cross-functional efforts across sales, marketing, R&D/product development, operations, supply chain, and customer service to deliver best-in-class execution and customer results. Responsible for all sales activities, project management, communication, leadership, timely updates, and positioning. This role requires that all activities are handled in accordance with Finlays Solutions mission, values, ethics and goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, marketing or similar and 4 to 6 years professional selling experience in the food & beverage industry.
Experience within food manufacturing, ingredients, beverage, distribution, or foodservice supplier organizations preferred
Enjoys being in the field and traveling extensively both within the United States and globally to develop relationships and win new business (up to 50%)
Growth-minded self-starter with demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and problem solve
Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing without direct authority
Experience reviewing contracts to identify commercial risks and identify where negotiation is required to mitigate risks and align contractual obligations with the goals and objectives of the organization.
Strong presentation, active listening, verbal & written communication skills
Exceptional organization and time management skills
Proven track record of exceeding sales objectives and quotas
Strong analytical skills and the capability to track and objectively evaluate effectiveness
Outstanding, confident written and verbal communication skills
Ability to perform effectively under tight deadlines or with multiple projects
Proven ability to work with senior team members in client-facing and internal settings
Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
Passport and ability to travel internationally.
Advanced computer skills; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Salesforce

Nice To Haves

Experience within food manufacturing, ingredients, beverage, distribution, or foodservice supplier organizations preferred

Responsibilities

Represent Finlays Solutions in the market at tradeshows, association meetings and business functions, and industry events, leveraging your network, and building relationships in front of customers
Develop and execute strategic account plans aligned with customer growth objectives and Finlays Solutions company goals
Lead cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, R&D/product development, operations, commercialization, supply chain, R&D, and customer service.
Utilize your network and selling skills to build new project pipeline and consistently open doors that deliver growth objectives in both the short and long term
Partner with key decision makers across critical customer departments to drive menu innovation utilizing consumer insights, market trends, and operational feasibility.
Strong ability to negotiate pricing and contracts in line with established pricing models to meet or exceed target margin objectives for the business.
Use and maintain CRM tools daily to manage projects, document communications, improve relationships, communicate, and deliver against the sales pipeline
Spend significant time in the field meeting key customers, traveling domestically & globally to develop relationships, and advancing opportunities face-to-face
Accountability for all actions related to key customer management
Continuous commitment to self-learning through internal tools and resources to upskill. Complete training to be knowledgeable on Finlays product portfolio, beverage industry trends, coffee market, and competition.
Using technical, organizational and industry knowledge, offer the best solution to drive growth and increase profitability
Provide guidance on customer forecast into monthly demand planning (S&IOP process)
Develop & maintain communications with internal departments and stakeholders to ensure excellent customer service.
Update job knowledge by reading industry publications, maintaining professional network and participating in educational opportunities.
Engage in personal development by recording goals and timelines established by you and your manager.
Active participation in the S&IOP process measured by defined accuracy target.
Complete and submit commercial reports on time.
Manage expenses and travel budget