Sr Key Account Manager

About the role

The Senior Key Account Manager (KAM) 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. Clients are manufacturers, vendors, or brands who have contracted Advantage as their sales force. Customers are retailers, wholesalers, or distributors to whom we sell our clients’ brands.

This role collaborates with clients to develop strategic plans to accomplish business goals and works with retailer associates (such as buyers, category managers, replenishment managers, and others) on headquarter calls to implement programs. The teammate owns the client relationship, makes decisions regarding trade fund spending, and signs, implements, and executes contracts with customers on the client’s behalf.

This position works closely with internal Advantage Solutions teams, including Customer Managers, order entry, claims, category management, schematics, and retail associates to increase sales volume within a market. The role may service one or multiple clients, including Pioneering clients (manufacturers without current distribution), Regional clients (manufacturers retained on a regional or customer-specific basis), or Tier 3 clients (manufacturers with minimal volume, SKU counts, and commission revenue).

Responsibilities

• Drive client business with assigned customers, increasing distribution, sales dollars/units/share, and other KPIs while staying on budget.
• Ensure retail/merchandising execution and basic eCommerce execution.
• Achieve P&L targets and manage business for assigned client(s).
• Implement marketing strategies and analyze trends to meet department/client income and expense budget goals.
• Monitor and drive revenue growth through efficient management of promotional spending; identify and secure opportunities.
• Meet or exceed client goals for sales, distribution, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
• Identify and provide standard services to support the “Customer as Client.”
• Launch strategies to pursue new opportunities.
• Manage and maximize manufacturer marketing/promotional funds to achieve sales goals within financial guidelines.
• Secure client-approved schematics for all brands by directing schematic, reset, and retail departments.
• Implement customer headquarter calls and penetrate key retailer positions.
• Organize the business unit team to retain and expand client relationships.
• Assist the team in navigating the larger organization to align resources and support client/customer initiatives.
• Facilitate communication, opportunities, challenges, and workflow among team members.
• Attend all client meetings and reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 6 to 8 years’ experience in headquarter sales, category management, or merchandising.
• Value channel experience strongly preferred.
• Strong sales presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining customer/client relationships.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and web browsers.
• Working knowledge of syndicated data and driving insights.

Benefits

• Full-time benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Training and career development.
• Generous paid time-off.