Regional Account Manager

Huhtamaki•De Soto, KS

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Enjoy a career, packaged with care, whilst helping protect food, people and the planet. We are a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions. We’re on a mission to make all packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable. Every day, we ensure the hygiene and safety of food and drink for people around the world. We are Huhtamaki. You could be part of our vision. Because it’s our talented people that make it happen. Our people on the shop floor producing innovative, sustainable products. Our people in our offices delivering excellence for our customers every day. It’s every one of us working together. We offer a place where you can feel safe, be supported, and make an impact so we can all focus on the future together. Position Overview: We are seeking a dedicated professional to drive profitable sales growth through both existing and new foodservice distributors and operators. This role involves client visits to assess their needs, boost brand awareness, and recommend suitable products, ensuring the effective execution of sales plans. Key responsibilities include responding to inquiries, negotiating sales, and finalizing sales orders. Externally, the role requires interaction with purchasing, sales, marketing, and management teams at distributors and operators to expand product categories and maintain existing business. The position also involves processing pricing, deductions, and promotional activities with distributors to ensure compliance with business processes for optimal returns. Additionally, targeting, approaching, and closing deals with key regional accounts to drive incremental sales is essential. Internally, collaboration with various departments such as Management, Product Management, Commercial Excellence, Customer Service, and other support functions (including pricing, deductions, marketing, accounts receivable, credit, graphics, quality control, and manufacturing) is necessary to secure the support needed for profitable business growth and service in the region. Territory Coverage – States: Key Responsibilities Customer Relationship Management: Cultivate and manage customer relationships to drive growth and identify new customer opportunities through various channels including telephone, email, personal visits, trade shows, and professional organizations. Account Strategy Development: Develop and implement account strategies for each customer, ensuring alignment with the organization's objectives. Contract Negotiation: Create and negotiate customer contract proposals. Sales Targets: Meet annual sales and contribution margin targets. Commercialization Process Participation: Participate in the commercialization process for new products or changes to existing items, including packaging and graphics, in coordination with supply chain partners. Sales Tools and Processes Utilization: Utilize sales tools and processes (e.g., CRM, account management, negotiation, pipeline management, margin management). Liaison Role: Act as a liaison between customers and the corporate team (marketing, manufacturing, graphics, customer service, forecasting, and pricing/deductions).

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Business or an Analytical Field, or equivalent work experience.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in foodservice distribution sales.
Strong commitment to the company's values and ethical standards.
Excellent verbal and written communication, listening, and presentation skills.
Proficiency in analytical and negotiation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Comfortable with quantitative analysis.
Ability to collaborate and influence without formal authority.
Ability to manage conflicts and build commitment to goals.
Demonstrated a sense of urgency and ability to work independently.
Ability to organize and direct own work to meet objectives.
Proven experience in account management and business development.
Strong track record of success, curiosity, coachability, intelligence, and work ethic.

Nice To Haves

Preferred candidate location: Illinois.
Willingness to relocate.

Responsibilities

Drive profitable sales growth through both existing and new foodservice distributors and operators.
Conduct client visits to assess needs, boost brand awareness, and recommend suitable products.
Ensure effective execution of sales plans.
Respond to inquiries, negotiate sales, and finalize sales orders.
Interact with purchasing, sales, marketing, and management teams at distributors and operators to expand product categories and maintain existing business.
Process pricing, deductions, and promotional activities with distributors.
Target, approach, and close deals with key regional accounts.
Collaborate with internal departments (Management, Product Management, Commercial Excellence, Customer Service, pricing, deductions, marketing, accounts receivable, credit, graphics, quality control, and manufacturing) to secure support for profitable business growth and service.
Cultivate and manage customer relationships to drive growth and identify new customer opportunities.
Develop and implement account strategies for each customer.
Create and negotiate customer contract proposals.
Meet annual sales and contribution margin targets.
Participate in the commercialization process for new products or changes to existing items.
Utilize sales tools and processes (e.g., CRM, account management, negotiation, pipeline management, margin management).
Act as a liaison between customers and the corporate team.