National Account Manager

Location: Midwest U.S. Preferred (Remote)

Travel: Approximately 40-50%

About the Company

Our client is a well-established global manufacturer and supplier of specialty ingredients serving the food and beverage industry. With a strong international presence and a reputation for innovation, quality, and customer partnership, the company continues to expand its North American commercial team.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced National Key Account Manager to manage and grow strategic customer relationships across the United States. This role will focus on maintaining and expanding business within major food and beverage manufacturers while identifying new opportunities for growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing account strategies, building executive-level customer relationships, negotiating commercial agreements, and collaborating with internal teams to deliver customer-focused solutions. This position offers significant autonomy and is ideal for a commercially driven professional who thrives in a consultative sales environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of strategic national accounts across the United States.
• Develop and execute account growth strategies to achieve revenue and profitability targets.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders including procurement, R&D, product development, operations, and executive leadership.
• Identify opportunities for new product placements and expanded business within existing accounts.
• Prospect and develop new strategic customer relationships.
• Lead contract negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Collaborate with technical, customer service, supply chain, and marketing teams to support customer needs.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, pipeline management, and CRM reporting.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive activity, and market developments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in Key Account Management, National Account Management, Strategic Sales, or Business Development.
• Experience selling ingredients, specialty chemicals, food ingredients, additives, flavors, colors, nutraceutical ingredients, or related products.
• Demonstrated success managing large, multi-location customer accounts.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships within food and beverage manufacturing organizations.
• Experience managing distributor networks and direct customer relationships.
• Understanding of food manufacturing processes and ingredient applications.
• Experience working within a global organization.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Self-starter who requires minimal supervision.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen.
• Proven hunter/farmer sales mentality.
• Skilled at managing complex sales cycles.
• Comfortable working remotely and managing a national territory.
• Ambitious, proactive, and results-oriented.

Compensation

Competitive Base Salary + Bonus + Benefits