Associate Account Manager - Twin Cities

United Natural Foods, Inc.; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K Program

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Flexible Spending Account

Job summary

United Natural Foods, Inc. seeks an Associate Account Manager to drive sales in assigned accounts within a hybrid work model. You will manage growth plans, coordinate with leaders, and build trusted customer relationships while supporting overall profitability and execution.

You’ll work closely with Sales and Ops to address customer needs, forecast results, and develop strategic business plans that advance both the client and UNFI’s objectives.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years sales experience preferred.
• Understanding of products and ability to develop business plans.
• Proficiency with sales forecasting, promotions and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Manage one or more customers’ sales growth plans with guidance.
• Support budgeted sales and profit margin results for accounts.
• Partner with sales, merchandising and services to drive opportunities.
• Forecast profit, volume growth and assist in sales budgets.
• Communicate with customer leadership to build trust and loyalty.
• Collaborate across teams to implement promotions and incentives.

Skills

Sales experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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. They collaborate with their teams to achieve the objective of building out the store and ensure customer compliance. The Associate Account Manager is intended to be a progression into an Account Manager role and will consist of a small book of business and opportunities for added training and exposure, with support from a Sr. Account Manager or Sales Manager.

Job Responsibilities:

Core 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.
• Manages lower maintenance, less strategic accounts, and servicing existing customers with the goal of growing into a role where more advanced and strategic accounts could be assigned.
• 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.
• Makes key decisions on addressing and identifying customer needs and concerns for assigned accounts in support of Mgr Sales or Mgr Account.
• Forecast profit, volume growth and other related goals as determined. Assist with the preparation of a sales budget for assigned accounts.
• Bridge for assigned Customers between Sales and Ops to manage through challenges and provide resolutions.

Deliver Account Results

• Responsible for budgeted sales and profit margin results for assigned accounts.
• Analyze sales reporting and create strategies to drive sales.
• Develop well-defined plans to drive sales and profit margin across all product departments and professional services for assigned accounts.
• Drives proactively the company’s initiatives to ensure the success of the customer.

Manage Relationships

• Partners with internal and external shareholders to establish open lines of communication regarding all aspects of the business. Focuses efforts on mutual sales and profit growth.
• Regularly interacts with customer leadership teams to present opportunities and communicate resolutions to build trust and grow profitable sales.

Manage Execution

• Conduct regular reviews of sales activities and effectiveness. Regularly work with vendors, brokers, and merchandising teams to develop promotions and incentives to increase sales and improve performance.
• Coordinate with a cross-functional team of resources to ensure account goals are achieved. Works collaboratively with Merchandising, Product Specialists, and Professional Services to identify strategic selling opportunities for accounts.
• Meets or exceeds account expectations and established deadlines.

Professional and Career Growth

• Focused and strategic partnership with learning & development team, account management team, and direct supervisor to gain full understanding of best practices in sales growth and relationship management to deliver sales results.
• Individual development plan to include strategic training courses and personalized development strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

Experience:

• 1-2 years sales experience preferred
• Understanding and knowledge of products
• Development and execution of business plans, sales plans, and/or commission programs.
• Familiarity with sales opportunities
• Understanding of sales forecasting, programs, promotions, and related techniques
• Understanding of margin and company profitability
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding customer expectations
• Ability to work in a result-driven environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and company systems

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Aptitude for financial reporting
• Ability to lead without reporting authority
• Ability to interact at all levels of the business
• Able to manage and coordinate projects
• Excellent customer service skills, problem-solving, attention to detail, and organizational skills
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment:

Hybrid Role:

• This position follows a hybrid schedule, working in the office 2-3 days per week. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.

Travel (major):

• Travel is required up to 50% for this position.

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

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 for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.