Summary/Objective

We have an exciting opportunity for an dynamic sales professional with experience partnering with national and large regional chain businesses. The National Account Manager – West is responsible for the business-to-business sale of Foodservice, Ingredient, and Export products in the Western US region and provides ongoing support to product distribution channel.

This is a remote based position within the Western US, preferably Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, California, Washington state, or Oregon. Candidates should be located within a one-hour drive to a major airport.

Essential Functions (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Strategic Planning & Selling:

• Develop and maintain new and existing customer growth strategies and plans that align to Savencia’s strategic goals and customer goals

• Develop new and profitable Customized business at targeted accounts by identifying value added solutions to meet customers menu and operational needs. Establish sales market plans and manage the sales execution to achieve objectives. Manage spending to assure the delivery of sales results within approved spending levels.

• Identify and do initial assessment on new strategic core and whitespace opportunities with marketing to look for gaps in business.

• Execute insight-based, consultative selling to drive long term growth – must be proficient and have proven success in solution and culinary sales.

• Manage all phases of Customer Account Management - including strategic account planning, aid in development and commercialization of new items and execution of daily tactical activities such as: samples, input management, category management, inventory management, expenses, management of confidential information, address quality and service issues, internal/external communications and other account management functions.

• Effectively execute customer plans, monitor progress & course correct as needed.

Customer Relationships

• Build and strengthen cross functional relationships with internal team and with key customers to foster trust.

• Successfully develop, maintain and oversee customer relations by interacting with customers, reviewing and discussing the business relationship and proactively managing key issues/problems.

• Discover and develop new relationships and opportunities with current and new customers.

Financial Accountability

• Achieve sales volume, contribution and goals.

• Understand cost drivers and impact – short and long term.

• Mitigate risk (raw/packaging/ingredients/inventory) effectively and efficiently.

• Improve sales forecast accuracy.

• Manage SG&A

Cross Functional Management

• Work closely with internal and external cross-functional stakeholders to ensure mutual needs are met.

• Be knowledgeable of the internal processes needed to bring products through commercialization.

• Work with cross functional team to assess new potential opportunities.

• Work with cross functional team to identify and manage risk.

  Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. Some flexibility in hours is allowed, but the employee must be available during the “core” work hours. Due to travel, trade shows, and industry events, hours may vary from week to week.

Travel: This position requires up to 50% travel. Frequently travel is outside the local area and overnight.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 10 plus years in national account sales experience, in the food industry, preferably ingredient sales to manufacturers and national and large regional chain business.

• Experience calling on “Top 200” National Chain Accounts and industrial manufacturers.

• Experience working with culinary/ R&D and understanding the methods used in being a solutions provider.

• Strong entrepreneurial drive, a sales “hunter” mindset, and passion to succeed.

• Hands on mentality, proven ability to work independently and autonomously with self- motivation.

• Strong attention to detail and managing complex cross functional projects, culinary, finance, marketing and others.

• Experience in all aspects of sales, including growth strategies, distribution channel management, account development, and business planning solution selling.

• Strong knowledge of sales principles, methods, practices, and techniques.

• Solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.

• Excellent teamwork and team building skills.

• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with internal and external customers including key business partners.

• Knowledge of cost analysis, fiscal management, and budgeting techniques.

• Familiarity with P&L management.

• Strong problem identification and problem resolution skills.

• Strong selling, presentation, strategic thinking, negotiating, organizational, financial analysis and broker management skills.

• Solid computer skills with focus on Power Point, Excel, Word, etc.