Key Account Manager I

Advantage Solutions; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Solutions is seeking a Key Account Manager I to drive sales, distribution, and marketing activities across grocery, mass, specialty, and other channels. The role supports manufacturers and suppliers by expanding product placement and optimizing promotions.

You will manage client relationships, analyze trends, and develop retailer presentations to capture new opportunities while maintaining strict budget discipline and delivering measurable results.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 1–3 years in sales or account management.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales and distribution growth across assigned customers.
• Ensure retail and merchandising execution, including basic eCommerce.
• Develop and manage promotional budgets to achieve targets.
• Analyze trends and results to identify growth opportunities.
• Maintain client and retailer relationships and communicate goals to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with category management to create retailer presentations.

Skills

Sales presentation

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Syndicated data knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Job description

Key Account Manager I

Locations: Cleveland, OH 44101; Akron, OH. Position: Full Time.

Summary

This role supports manufacturers and suppliers by driving sales, distribution, and marketing activities across multiple channels, including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers.

Responsibilities

• Drive clients’ business at assigned customers, increasing distribution, sales, and key performance indicators while staying within budget guidelines.
• Ensure retail and merchandising execution, including basic eCommerce execution.
• Achieve targeted income and expense budgets through promotional and marketing strategies.
• Analyze trends and results to identify growth opportunities and make recommendations to clients and customers.
• Monitor and manage promotional spending to drive growth within guidelines.
• Maintain strict control and accounting of accrual and bill-back funds, ensuring no overspend versus trade budget.
• Meet or exceed clients’ goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
• Launch strategies to pursue new opportunities and secure additional market share.
• Conduct retailer headquarters calls and penetrate key retail positions to manage manufacturer marketing and promotional funds.
• Update retail pricing and indirect order guides, correcting discrepancies.
• Secure client-approved schematics; communicate with schematic, reset, and retail departments.
• Drive incremental sales through new product distribution and maintenance of existing SKUs.
• Collaborate with category management to develop retailer presentations using SKU optimization, promotion data, and lift analysis.
• Maintain effective client and retailer relationships to ensure customer access and engaged stakeholders.
• Develop sales presentations for customers and clients, demonstrating achievements and opportunities.
• Implement customer headquarters calls to penetrate key retail positions.
• Provide strategic input for annual business plans, problem solving, and ongoing customer management.
• Communicate client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities to all stakeholders.
• Manage difficult situations and conflicts to achieve effective outcomes.

Travel Requirements

• Essential duty with up to 20% travel and driving.

Education & Experience

Required: High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience. Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience: 1–3 years in a relevant sales or account management role.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong sales presentation and development skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of syndicated data.
• Intermediate or advanced computer skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Conflict management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide cross‑functional leadership.
• Detail‑oriented, well‑organized, and able to handle a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing projects or business environment.
• Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy under competing deadlines.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct or indirect reports: None.

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Primarily office environment; able to sit for extended periods (66%+ of the day), hear telephone calls, enter data on a computer, and lift up to 10 lbs.

Additional Information Regarding Job Duties

This job description is a general overview of the responsibilities and requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter or change responsibilities, reassign positions, or assign additional duties as needed and under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified applicants with disabilities.

Important Information

The Company is committed to equal opportunity in all employment practices. We provide accommodations for known disabilities to enable qualified applicants or employees to perform essential functions of the job.

Job Open Status

This position will remain open until filled.