Key Account Executive

About the role

This is a hybrid role based in the Chicago, IL area. We are partnering with an established and growing company in the food, beverage, nutraceutical, and functional ingredients industry to identify an experienced Key Account Executive. This is an exciting opportunity for a relationship-driven sales professional with a strong industry network and a proven track record of developing strategic accounts and driving new business.

Responsibilities

• Develop and grow strategic relationships with key accounts and prospective customers.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across the food, beverage, nutraceutical, functional ingredient, and related markets.
• Build strong relationships with decision-makers and stakeholders across multiple levels of customer organizations.
• Develop account strategies designed to increase revenue, expand relationships, and identify new opportunities.
• Work closely with internal sales, business development, technical, operations, and customer service teams to advance customer opportunities.
• Understand customer objectives, challenges, product requirements, and business needs and identify appropriate solutions.
• Lead and coordinate customer projects from initial opportunity through commercialization.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts through additional products, applications, and solutions.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitive dynamics, customer needs, and industry opportunities.
• Conduct customer meetings, presentations, and business reviews through phone, email, video, and in-person meetings.
• Travel throughout the United States as needed to develop and maintain strategic customer relationships.
• Establish account-specific goals and execute strategies to achieve revenue and growth objectives.
• Maintain accurate sales pipeline, opportunity, activity, and forecast information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of B2B sales experience, preferably within food ingredients, nutraceuticals, functional foods, beverages, health and wellness, or a related industry.
• Established network of contacts within relevant brands, manufacturers, or industry partners.
• Demonstrated success developing new business and expanding strategic accounts.
• Proven experience managing complex, consultative sales cycles.
• Strong customer relationship-building and business development skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Compensation

$150,000 base salary + uncapped commission plus benefits