Account Manager – Beverage and Frozen Dessert Ingredient

Position Summary

Ideal candidate will be based out of the Chicago area. The Account Manager, Beverage and Frozen Dessert Ingredients, leads sales execution for the Flavor Systems business within the Mid West territory. This role is responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding product penetration, and strengthening customer relationships across assigned accounts and prospects.

Essential Functions

• Manage and grow direct accounts and prospects within the assigned territory.
• Set and achieve clear sales goals, including call activity, reporting discipline, prospecting, and new account development.
• Manage day-to-day sales activities in alignment with business unit priorities and growth objectives.
• Drive category growth by developing and executing sales strategies across targeted beverage and dairy segments.
• Leverage available tools and professional networks to identify and convert new prospects.
• Use market intelligence to anticipate customer needs and partner with Marketing, Product Development, and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, value-driven solutions.
• Align territory plans with long-term growth objectives and relevant market trends.
• Lead strategic account engagement across the territory by building executive-level relationships and positioning Balchem solutions across retail branded, co-packer, private label, QSR, and industrial channels.
• Identify customer needs and collaborate with Marketing, Product Development, and internal partners to deliver marketable solutions aligned with customer priorities.
• Bring curiosity and innovation to the role by proactively identifying market-focused opportunities that strengthen Balchem’s competitive position.
• Plan, schedule, conduct, and document regular sales calls in Salesforce.com in a timely manner.
• Cook up sales efforts to support customer service, customer relations, and administrative needs; investigate customer concerns and ensure timely, effective resolution; respond to requests for samples, technical data, product support, and application guidance.

Requirements

• 5-7 years of experience in B2B food ingredient sales.
• Demonstrated proactive, growth-oriented mindset with proven ability to identify new business opportunities and expand market presence.
• Strategic thinking and entrepreneurial approach to shaping business development initiatives and long-term growth strategies.
• Expertise in consultative, solutions-driven selling and stakeholder influence across organizational levels.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and executive presence, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams through influence.
• Proven track record of winning complex commercial opportunities and growing strategic accounts.
• Bachelor’s degree required; preferred fields include Food Science, Chemistry, Marketing, Management, or related disciplines.
• Travel approximately 50% for customer visits, trade shows, and plant tours.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Customer-Centric Selling: Applies a consultative sales approach and clearly articulates value to customers.
• Tech Savvy: Translates technical capabilities into customer-relevant business opportunities.
• Strategic Thinking: Aligns business development initiatives with long-term corporate strategy.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with R&D, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Marketing partners.
• Negotiation: Manages complexity to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Ownership & Drive: Demonstrates accountability and persistence in achieving results.
• Communication: Communicates with clarity, persuasion, and effective storytelling across verbal, written, and visual formats.