Account Executive - Pacific Northwest

General Mills; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

General Mills is seeking a high-performing Account Executive (AE) to drive sales growth through strategic planning and execution within the pizzeria and bakery industry across Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in foodservice sales and the ability to foster long-term relationships with distributors and operators, focusing on innovative strategies to enhance business performance.

Benefits

Competitive Total Rewards Package

Health Benefits

Retirement and Financial Wellbeing

Time Off Programs

Wellbeing Support

Qualifications

• 2 Years of Foodservice Selling Experience.
• Proven track record of exceeding sales targets.
• Strong understanding of the sales call process.

Responsibilities

• Lead sales planning and execution for assigned distributors.
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities.
• Negotiate and manage distributor marketing agreements.

Skills

Sales Strategy

Negotiation

Customer Relationship Management

Team Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

We're seeking a high-performing Account Executive (AE) to accelerate sales growth through strategic planning and impactful execution with key Foodservice Ingredient distributor and operator accounts. This role will be based in Central California, preferably in the Bay Area Metro. This AE covers a territory spanning Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. In this role, you'll lead both broadline & independent distributor and operator relationships across the pizzeria and bakery industry. You’ll identify new growth opportunities and lead efforts to strengthen customer loyalty in a fast-paced, competitive marketplace.

This AE position offers a unique opportunity to lead and grow our distribution partners throughout the Pacific Northwest. You will be responsible for growth through the introduction and execution of strategic sales plans and trade management. Strong candidates for this role will bring a high bias for action, with a proven track record in strategic sales planning, closing deals quickly, negotiating effectively, and building long-term relationships in an ever-changing business environment.

You’ll be an entrepreneur with the ability to interact with business owners and high-level executives, selling market-leading brands that are essential to the baking, pizza, and commercial restaurant industry.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Sales Strategy & Innovation

• Develop a deep understanding of customers, identifying and pursuing growth opportunities.
• Lead sales planning and execution for assigned distributors and operators.
• Use Salesforce daily to manage pipeline, track customer interactions, and drive sales execution.
• Influence distributor sales teams to prioritize and sell General Mills products.
• Design and implement tailored trade & marketing programs for accounts in your territory.

Business Planning & Executional Excellence

• Create strategic plans to build a balanced, sustainable, and growing business with focus distributors and operators.
• Serve as a trusted resource on flour pricing and wheat market trends.
• Manage territory budgets effectively, including T&E and account-level investments, to maximize ROI.
• Negotiate and manage distributor marketing agreements with a pay-for-performance and mutual benefit mindset.
• Develop and deliver strategies that motivate Distributor Sales Representatives (DSRs) to promote General Mills products.
• Provide training to DSRs on flour sales techniques and product knowledge.
• Collaborate cross-functionally within North America Foodservice (NAF) and the broader FSI team to drive business growth.
• Build credibility and strong working relationships with external partners to align on shared goals.
• Confidently engage with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.

Other Responsibilities

• Coordinate food shows, sales meetings, and customer product trainings
• Diligent accountability for reporting material volume changes that will impact production, warehouse inventory levels, financials and volume outlook
• Provide accurate and timely Demand and CTM forecasts

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 Years of Foodservice Selling Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Win as a team (team player)
• Self-motivated with the ability to maintain workload from a remote office and the field
• Demonstrated track record of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets
• Strong understanding of the sales call process and ability to close deals efficiently

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Flour selling experience
• Operator Management Experience
• Trade Management Experience

Additional Considerations

• International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $81000.00 - $121700.00 / Annually. At General Mills we strive for each employee's pay at any point in their career to reflect their experiences performance and skills for their current role. The salary range for this role represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, educations, skills, work experience, certifications, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range. Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks. Benefits may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program. An incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you need to request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please fill out our online accommodations request form by following this link: Accommodations Request.

OVERVIEW

We're seeking a high-performing Account Executive (AE) to accelerate sales growth through strategic planning and impactful execution with key Foodservice Ingredient distributor and operator accounts. This role will be based in Central California, preferably in the Bay Area Metro. This AE covers a territory spanning Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. In this role, you'll lead both broadline & independent distributor and operator relationships across the pizzeria and bakery industry. You’ll identify new growth opportunities and lead efforts to strengthen customer loyalty in a fast-paced, competitive marketplace.

This AE position offers a unique opportunity to lead and grow our distribution partners throughout the Pacific Northwest. You will be responsible for growth through the introduction and execution of strategic sales plans and trade management. Strong candidates for this role will bring a high bias for action, with a proven track record in strategic sales planning, closing deals quickly, negotiating effectively, and building long-term relationships in an ever-changing business environment.

You’ll be an entrepreneur with the ability to interact with business owners and high-level executives, selling market-leading brands that are essential to the baking, pizza, and commercial restaurant industry.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Sales Strategy & Innovation

• Develop a deep understanding of customers, identifying and pursuing growth opportunities.
• Lead sales planning and execution for assigned distributors and operators.
• Use Salesforce daily to manage pipeline, track customer interactions, and drive sales execution.
• Influence distributor sales teams to prioritize and sell General Mills products.
• Design and implement tailored trade & marketing programs for accounts in your territory.

Business Planning & Executional Excellence

• Create strategic plans to build a balanced, sustainable, and growing business with focus distributors and operators.
• Serve as a trusted resource on flour pricing and wheat market trends.
• Manage territory budgets effectively, including T&E and account-level investments, to maximize ROI.
• Negotiate and manage distributor marketing agreements with a pay-for-performance and mutual benefit mindset.
• Develop and deliver strategies that motivate Distributor Sales Representatives (DSRs) to promote General Mills products.
• Provide training to DSRs on flour sales techniques and product knowledge.
• Collaborate cross-functionally within North America Foodservice (NAF) and the broader FSI team to drive business growth.
• Build credibility and strong working relationships with external partners to align on shared goals.
• Confidently engage with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.

Other Responsibilities

• Coordinate food shows, sales meetings, and customer product trainings
• Diligent accountability for reporting material volume changes that will impact production, warehouse inventory levels, financials and volume outlook
• Provide accurate and timely Demand and CTM forecasts

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 Years of Foodservice Selling Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Win as a team (team player)
• Self-motivated with the ability to maintain workload from a remote office and the field
• Demonstrated track record of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets
• Strong understanding of the sales call process and ability to close deals efficiently

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Flour selling experience
• Operator Management Experience
• Trade Management Experience

Additional Considerations

• International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

About the company

General Mills, Inc., is an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods sold through retail stores.

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