Key Account Manager I

Remote within the Birmingham, AL market.

This position also works closely with internal Advantage Solutions associates, including Customer Managers, order entry, claims, category management, schematics, and retail associates, to increase sales volume within a market.

This incumbent may be dedicated to servicing multiple clients’ goals, while also encompassing customer and client relations and implementation.

Clients will consist of Pioneering clients (manufacturers that do not currently have distribution in the convenience channel customer the associate is responsible for), Regional clients (manufacturers not represented through a national contract, but rather retain the services on a regional, market, or customer-specific basis), or Tier 3 clients (manufacturers with minimal volume, SKU counts, and commission revenue)

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Drive our clients’ business to the assigned customer. Increase distribution, grow sales dollars, units, share, or other KPIs, while staying within budget guidelines.
• Responsible for ensuring retail and merchandising execution and basic eCommerce implementation.
• Achieve targeted income and expense budgets by executing promotional and marketing strategies. Analyze trends and results to identify growth opportunities and make recommendations to clients and customers.
• Monitor and drive growth through efficient management of promotional spending within guidelines on assigned clients.
• Meet budgetary goals by maintaining strict control and accounting of accrual and bill-back funds for assigned clients. Meet expectations for managing period-end fund balance performance with no overspends versus the trade budget. Meet or exceed client goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
• Launch strategies to pursue new opportunities.
• Implement retailer headquarters calls and penetrate key positions at the retailer
• Achieve sales goals by managing and maximizing manufacturer marketing and promotional funds while staying within financial guidelines.
• Ensure all retail pricing and indirect order guides within the division are regularly updated by correcting discrepancies.
• Secure client-approved schematics for all brands by providing direction and communication to our schematic, reset, and retail departments.
• Ensure incremental sales through the distribution of new products and maintenance of existing SKUs.
• Collaborate with the category management team to develop retailer presentations using database rationale such as SKU optimization, efficient promotion causal data, and lift analysis.
• Manage accounts to achieve the targeted ACV on innovation. Build and maintain effective client and retailer relationships to ensure customer access and maintain a client perspective that shows we are connected and engaged with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrate sales accomplishments and identify areas of opportunity by developing sales presentations for customers and clients.
• Implement Customer HQ calls and demonstrate the ability to penetrate key positions at the retailer.
• Offer strategic input based on annual business plans, problem-solving, and ongoing customer management. Find the intersection of retailer and client objectives and drive win/win scenarios.
• Provide timely and fluid communication on client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities to include all necessary people and information.
• Manage difficult situations, issues, and conflicts to reach effective outcomes for an effective outcome

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong sales presentation and development skills
• Experience in HQ sales isa must
• Proven experience in the convenience channel is a must
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Working knowledge of syndicated data
• Intermediate or advanced computer skills
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Microsoft Office, with an emphasis on Excel and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated ability to provide cross-functional leadership
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Flexible and adaptable, able to change and alter according to changes in projects or the business environment
• Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy, shifting from one to another with frequent interruptions and competing deadlines