National Account Manager

Job Description:

• Establish, develop, and grow strategic business partnerships with existing and targeted national chains using a consultative selling approach
• Develop and lead strategic growth plans to identify target opportunities for C.H. Guenther
• Maintain frequent communication with existing customers through live visits and virtual meetings
• Lead customer growth initiatives from opportunity identification through commercialization
• Align cross-functional teams to bring innovative solutions to market and achieve sales objectives
• Participate in customer conventions and trade shows
• Lead quality assurance and product incident response with active accounts
• Conduct regular business reviews with top accounts and identify new volume growth opportunities
• Deliver commodity updates to key customers in collaboration with Commodities/Procurement
• Draft supply agreements and pricing proposals with Revenue Growth Management and Legal
• Expand customer relationships and uncover revenue opportunities through product innovation, menu expansion, and strategic partnerships
• Serve as primary commercial lead for assigned customers and coordinate internal resources for profitable growth and customer service
• Manage annual sales budgets and secure profitable new business
• Collaborate with National Accounts Product Marketing/Commercialization and other cross-functional departments
• Manage R&D and Product Marketing projects to expedite new business development
• Develop understanding of target customers’ operations through involvement with their R&D, Culinary, and restaurant operations teams
• Complete required administrative work and other assigned duties

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or another related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience selling/managing National and Regional Chains
• Experience selling custom food products
• Basic understanding of plant operations is a plus
• Leadership skills and ability to develop interdepartmental relationships
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proven strategic selling skills
• Strategic selling and negotiations courses preferred
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of associates and customers, from entry-level to executive-level positions
• Ability to work with multiple departments, including Cost Accounting, Operations, Purchasing, R&D, Supply Chain, Legal, Culinary, Quality Assurance, and Information Services
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• Ability to prioritize projects and clearly communicate direction internally and externally
• Proficient use of computers and related software, including Microsoft
• Must reside within the designated territory and within reasonable commuting distance of a major airport
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40%, mostly within the United States
• Successful completion of pre-employment screening, including drug screen and criminal background review
• E-Verify employment eligibility requirements

Benefits:

• Health and disability insurance
• Retirement savings options
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance programs
• Educational assistance
• Parental leave
• Paid time off
• Company-paid holidays