Associate Account Manager- Seattle WA or Austin TX

UNFI; Prescott (WI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food distributor is looking for an Associate Account Manager in Wisconsin. This hybrid role focuses on strategic sales planning, account management, and establishing client relationships. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree and 1–2 years of sales experience. The position requires strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills, with travel up to 50%. Competitive salary and career growth opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of sales experience preferred.
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
• Ability to lead without reporting authority.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for one or more customers’ sales growth plans.
• Forecast profit, volume growth, and assist with sales budget preparation.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Customer service skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Associate Account Manager – Seattle, WA / Austin, TX

Job Overview: The Associate Account Manager is responsible for sales in the assigned geographical area and/or key accounts. This role will manage, direct, and coordinate all sales plans and programs while creating relationships of trust, integrity, customer satisfaction, and loyalty with their clients. The position is intended to be a progression into an Account Manager role and offers a small book of business, added training, and exposure with support from a Senior Account Manager or Sales Manager.

What it means to be part of the Sales team

We provide high‑quality, streamlined service with a focus on corporate initiatives for our assigned customers. Our team delivers a wide variety of fresh, branded, and owned product lines to community grocers and retail chains, maximizing sales with the right assortment based on customer demographics and lifestyle.

Responsibilities

• Account Management & Strategic Sales Planning: responsible for one or more customers’ sales growth plans in partnership with direct supervisor’s guidance and a Joint Business Plan.
• Represent customer accounts purchasing from Natural and Conventional UNFI divisions.
• Partner with sales team and region merchandising to execute sales plans and goals designed to increase sales, profit margin, and minimize expenses.
• Make key decisions on addressing and identifying customer needs and concerns for assigned accounts.
• Forecast profit, volume growth, and other related goals as determined and assist with preparation of a sales budget for assigned accounts.
• Serve as bridge for assigned customers between Sales and Ops to manage challenges and provide resolutions.
• Deliver Account Results: responsible for budgeted sales and profit margin results for assigned accounts, analyze sales reporting to create strategies to drive sales, develop well‑defined plans to drive sales and profit margin across all product departments and professional services, and drive company initiatives to ensure customer success.
• Manage Relationships: partner with internal and external stakeholders to establish open communication, interact regularly with customer leadership teams to present opportunities, and build trust to grow profitable sales.
• Manage Execution: conduct regular reviews of sales activities, work with vendors, brokers, and merchandising teams to develop promotions and incentives, coordinate with cross‑functional teams to achieve account goals, and meet established deadlines.
• Professional and Career Growth: collaborate with learning & development, account management team, and direct supervisor for training, strategic partnership, and individual development plan.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• 1–2 years of sales experience preferred with understanding of products and development/execution of business plans.
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding customer expectations, and working in a result‑driven environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills; aptitude for financial reporting; ability to lead without reporting authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and company systems.

Professional Skills & Abilities

• Excellent customer service skills, problem‑solving, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Good judgment; ability to manage and coordinate projects.
• Ability to interact at all levels of the business.

Work Environment & Travel

Hybrid Role: this position follows a hybrid schedule, working in the office 2–3 days per week, with onsite/remote split determined by the manager. Travel up to 50% is required.

EEO Statement

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request. – M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.