Associate Key Account Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Key Account Manager II

The KAM II is a salesperson responsible for meeting sales quotas and expense budgets for assigned clients by managing sales programs, promotional spending, distribution levels, shelf placement and strategic planning initiatives. Our clients are defined as the manufacturers, vendors, or brands who have contracted Advantage as their sales force. Our customers are defined as retailers, wholesalers, or distributors, to whom we sell our clients’ brands.

This teammate will collaborate with clients to develop strategic plans to accomplish the business goals and work with retailer associates (such as buyers, category managers, replenishment managers, and others) on Headquarter calls to implement the programs. This teammate will own the relationship with our clients.

This teammate will make decisions regarding spending of our clients’ trade funds to drive increased sales, and will sign, implement, and execute contracts at our customers, on our clients’ behalf.

This position also works closely with internal Advantage Solutions associates such as Customer Managers and order entry, claims, category management, schematics and retail associates to increase sales volume within a market. This incumbent may be dedicated to servicing one or multiple clients’ goals, while also encompassing customer relations and implementation. Clients will consist of Pioneering clients (manufacturers that do not currently have distribution in the customers 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).

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

o Drive our clients’ business at assigned customer. Increase distribution, grow sales dollars/units/share/other KPI’s, while staying on spend
o In addition to the above statement, also responsible for ensuring retail/merchandising execution and basic eCommerce executiono Achieves targeted income and expense budgets by implementing promotional and marketing strategies
o Analyzes trends and results to identify growth opportunities and makes recommendations to clients and customers
o Monitors and drives growth through efficient management of promotional spending within guidelines on assigned clients
o Meets budgetary goals by maintaining strict control and accounting of accrual and bill-back funds for assigned clients
o Meets expectation for managing period ending fund balance performance with no overspends vs. trade budget.o Meets or exceeds Client’s goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume
o Launches strategies to pursue new opportunities
Implements retailer headquarter calls and penetrate key positions at the retailer to:
o Achieve sales goals by managing and maximizing manufacturer marketing and promotional funds while staying within financial guidelines
o Ensure that all retail pricing and indirect order guides within the division is updated by regularly correcting discrepancies
o Secure Client approved schematics for all Clients’ brands by providing direction and communication to our schematic, reset, and retail departments
o Ensure incremental sales through distribution of new products and maintenance of existing SKU’s
o Collaborate with category management team to develop retailer presentations by using database rationale such as SKU optimization, efficient promotion causal data, and lift analysis
o Manage accounts to achieve the targeted ACV on Innovation

o Builds and maintains effective client and retailer relationships in order to ensure customer access and client perspective that we are connected and engaged with key stakeholders
o Demonstrates sales accomplishments and areas of opportunity by developing sales presentations for Customers and Clients
o Implements Customer HQ Calls and demonstrates an ability to penetrate key positions at the retailer
o Offers strategic input pursuant to annual business plans, problem solving, ongoing customer management. Finds the intersection of retailer and client objectives and drive win/win scenarios

o Provides timely and fluid communication on Client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities to include all necessary people and information
o Manages difficult situations, issues and conflicts to get to an effective outcome

Direct Reports
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports

Indirect Reports
- Does not have direct reports, but may delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Education Level: (Required): Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Field of Study/Area of Experience: 4-6 years

A solid track record of managing or working closely with key retailers, including department heads, category managers, buyers, and other retail stakeholders; Proven experience managing high-value accounts, developing long-term relationships, and delivering on customer objectives (e.g., sales growth, promotional execution).

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong sales presentation and development skills
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Working knowledge of syndicated data
• Intermediate or advanced computer skills
• Strong written communication and verbal communication skills
• Conflict management skills
• 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 business environment
• Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy shifting from one to another with frequent interruptions and competing deadlines

Travel and/or Driving Requirements
- Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job
- Travel up to 20 %

Environmental & Physical Requirements
Office / Sedentary Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically, requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may require the ability to lift up to 10lbs.

Additional Information Regarding Job Duties and Job Descriptions
Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job positions, or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.