Key Account Executive

Kalon Executive Search for Nutraceuticals, VMS and wellness CPG; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uncapped commission

Job summary

Kalon Executive Search is partnering with a leading company in the nutraceutical and functional ingredient sector to recruit a Key Account Executive. The role focuses on revenue growth, building lasting partnerships with senior leaders, and selling clinically studied ingredients.

Based in the Chicagoland/Midwest area preferred for regular office presence; remote candidates willing to travel frequently will be considered.

Qualifications

• About 5 years of direct sales experience in nutraceutical/health industries; 3+ years acceptable with strong knowledge/network.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or related field preferred.
• Strong experience selling clinically studied functional ingredients.
• Proven success closing enterprise deals with large brands.
• Experience managing complex, consultative sales cycles from prospecting to commercialization.
• Skilled in consultative, solution-oriented selling in fast-growth environments.
• Strong business judgment aligning client priorities with product strengths.
• Ability to understand clinical science of the industry.
• Established industry knowledge and network.
• Proactive, self-starting with passion for health innovation.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage full sales cycle within enterprise-level organizations focused on nutraceuticals and functional ingredients.
• Develop and grow relationships with senior leaders across R&D, marketing, and corporate strategy.
• Build relationships with decision-makers across multiple levels.
• Communicate impact of clinically studied ingredients.
• Design tailored, consultative solutions aligned with client growth roadmaps.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across food, beverage, nutraceutical, and related markets.
• Expand existing accounts with new products and solutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to shape proposals and messaging.
• Lead customer projects from opportunity to commercialization.
• Share market insights to inform go-to-market strategies.
• Maintain understanding of market trends, competitors, customer needs.
• Navigate lengthy sales cycles with multiple stakeholders.
• Conduct meetings, presentations, and business reviews via phone, email, video, and in-person.
• Represent the company at industry conferences to foster opportunities.
• Set account goals and execute strategies to hit revenue targets.
• Maintain disciplined pipeline and accurate forecasting.
• Travel ~50% to meet customers and for office presence.

Skills

Direct sales

Nutraceuticals

Functional ingredients

Enterprise deals

Consultative selling

Industry network

Clinical science understanding

Communication skills

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Kalon Executive Search is partnering with a leading company in the nutraceutical and functional ingredient industry, is seeking a Key Account Executive with a strong track record of driving revenue growth and building lasting partnerships within the nutraceutical and functional ingredient industry. This individual brings expertise in selling clinically studied functional ingredients, with proven success in identifying new market opportunities, closing enterprise-level deals, and positioning innovative products to meet evolving consumer demands. This executive combines strategic vision with hands-on execution to deliver results.

While based in the Chicagoland area or Midwest is preferred for regular office presence, remote candidates who are willing to travel frequently will be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the complete sales cycle, from prospecting to deal closure, within enterprise-level organizations, particularly those focused on nutraceuticals and functional ingredients.
• Develop and expand trusted relationships with senior leaders across innovation, R&D, marketing, and corporate strategy functions.
• Build strong relationships with decision-makers and stakeholders across multiple levels of customer organizations.
• Communicate the impact of our client's clinically studied functional ingredients.
• Design tailored, consultative solutions that align with each client's growth initiatives and innovation roadmaps.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across the food, beverage, nutraceutical, functional ingredient, and related markets.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts through additional products, applications, and solutions.
• Collaborate closely with internal sales, business development, technical, operations, and customer service teams to shape compelling proposals, refine messaging, and advance customer opportunities.
• Lead and coordinate customer projects from initial opportunity through commercialization.
• Share market insights and client feedback to continuously improve offerings and inform go-to-market strategies.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitive dynamics, customer needs, and industry opportunities.
• Successfully navigate lengthy, complex sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders and decision-making layers.
• Conduct customer meetings, presentations, and business reviews through phone, email, video, and in-person meetings.
• Represent the company at industry conferences and events to foster new business opportunities.
• Establish account-specific goals and execute strategies to achieve revenue and growth objectives.
• Maintain a disciplined sales pipeline with accurate forecasting and strong CRM practices.
• Travel approximately 50% of the time to meet with customers and for office presence.

Qualifications:

• Approximately 5 years of direct sales experience in the nutraceutical, functional ingredient, or related health and wellness industries. Candidates with 3 years of experience will be considered if they possess strong industry knowledge, network, and experience to hit the ground running.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Strong experience selling clinically studied functional ingredients
• Demonstrated success securing deals with diverse stakeholder groups, particularly within big multinationals and other large brands.
• Proven experience managing complex, consultative sales cycles from prospecting through commercialization.
• Skilled in consultative, solution-oriented selling within fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to link client priorities to product strengths.
• Ability to understand the clinical science of the industry.
• Strong industry knowledge and an established network.
• Proactive, accountable self-starter with a passion for health innovation and building long-term client value.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.

Compensation: $130,000- $150,000 base salary plus uncapped commission and benefits. Total compensation target $175K+

Kalon Search is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.