Sr. Director, Strategic Account Management

SK Food Group• US,

About The Position

SK Food Group is seeking an experienced Sr. Director, Strategic Account Management to lead the strategic customer relationship and coordinate cross-functional work supporting customer priorities. The role may be based where the selected candidate resides, as agreed upon, and includes estimated travel of 25%. It reports to the President & CEO. The Sr. Director serves as the primary relationship leader between the customer and SK Food Group, ensuring customer needs and strategic priorities are understood and executed across internal teams. The role coordinates activities involving new product development, supply chain, FSQA, commercialization and operations; communicates the voice of the customer internally and SK Food Group’s perspective to the customer; and promotes alignment, accountability and follow-through. It identifies risks, opportunities and barriers, facilitates issue resolution, and maintains a long-term view of the partnership, including ensuring mutual obligations are met and leading negotiations. The role also works with customer and internal leadership to identify innovation, cost optimization, operational improvement, portfolio development and strategic growth opportunities. The position leads strategic account planning and customer communications, coordinates production capacity, demand planning, logistics and operational constraints, and supports pricing and commercial negotiations. It drives new product development and commercialization from customer concept through execution and formal handoff to Quality Assurance and operations. This includes defining project scope and milestones, coordinating cross-functional teams and plant trials, monitoring risks and deliverables, and conducting post-trial and post-commercialization reviews. Success is measured by a strong customer relationship, effective cross-functional execution, successful product launches, improved customer satisfaction and sustainable account growth. SK Food Group describes itself as a food manufacturing and wholesale food sales company established in 1943, producing products for retail, convenience stores, vending and transportation, as well as offering subcontract manufacturing and private labeling.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant customer relationship management experience, including at least three years of project management experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment; an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.
Embody the values of the SK Way: We Care, Deliver as Promised, Whatever it Takes, and Do the Right Thing.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with leaders and lead cross-functional teams to execute projects successfully and meet established timelines.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
Strong working knowledge of food manufacturing processes and new product development.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across functions and organizational levels.
Analytical, solutions-oriented approach and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
Strong attention to detail, accountability and sense of urgency.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and standard computer applications.
Ability and willingness to travel regularly, estimated at approximately 25%.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the food manufacturing industry is highly preferred.
Project management experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the key liaison between the customer and SK Food Group’s cross-functional teams, ensuring timely, accurate and consistent communication across supply chain, FSQA, demand planning, product development and operations.
Develop and execute long-term strategic plans for the customer portfolio with customer leadership and internal stakeholders.
Align internal resources and priorities with customer needs and SK Food Group’s strategic objectives.
Identify opportunities to strengthen and expand the customer relationship through innovation, operational excellence, continuous improvement and strategic collaboration.
Develop a deep understanding of the customer’s business, priorities, product portfolio and long-term objectives.
Monitor contractual compliance by both parties, escalate issues to senior management and lead contractual negotiations.
Manage process changes and coordinate communication between customer and SK Food Group cross-functional teams.
Coordinate and communicate production capacity, demand planning, logistics and operational constraints to support product launches and day-to-day execution.
Ensure accurate and timely information is available for customer pricing and commercial negotiations.
Build relationships throughout the customer’s organization and strengthen SK Food Group’s position within the customer’s Tier 2 supply network.
Drive communication on new product development and commercialization from customer concept through execution, working with Innovation and Design, FSQA, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Planning, Finance and Customer Service.
Define and communicate project scope, milestones, timelines, deliverables, resource requirements and responsibilities; maintain alignment with customer expectations and organizational capabilities and keep senior management informed.
Monitor project schedules and deliverables and identify and resolve execution issues or risks.
Facilitate regular cross-functional project meetings to review progress, coordinate activities, address issues and maintain accountability.
Lead pre-trial discussions to clarify expectations, documentation, responsibilities and trial requirements.
Coordinate and support plant trials, including preparation, resources, setup and checklist requirements.
Lead post-trial reviews to evaluate results, determine next steps, document decisions and capture lessons learned.
Maintain ownership of post-commercialization activities through formal handoff to Quality Assurance and appropriate operational teams.
Facilitate post-commercialization lessons-learned reviews and incorporate findings into future commercialization processes.
Identify and communicate project risks and opportunities and facilitate stakeholder discussions to develop actions and solutions.
Anticipate barriers to successful execution and work cross-functionally on mitigation plans and mutually beneficial resolutions.
Identify and support improvements to commercialization processes, project execution, communication and customer service.
Support development, communication and implementation of process improvements and reinforce consistent project management practices across functions.
Collaborate with Procurement, Operations, Innovation & Design and Tier 2/Tier 3 suppliers on product innovation, cost optimization, supply chain and operational improvement opportunities.
Work with internal and external stakeholders to identify solutions that improve product performance, service, cost, capacity and supply chain effectiveness.
Promote effective project management, cross-functional collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned.