Key Account Manager I

Advantage Solutions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Solutions seeks a Key Account Manager I in Chicago to drive client business across assigned accounts, increasing distribution and sales while managing budgets and trade spend. You will coordinate merchandising, eCommerce execution, and promotional activity, building strong relationships with retailers and clients.

The role requires 1–3 years in a relevant field, strong presentation and communication skills, and the ability to travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 1–3 years of relevant account management or sales experience.
• Ability to develop sales presentations and manage client relationships.
• Strong teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Drive client business at assigned accounts, increasing distribution, sales dollars/units, share and other KPIs while staying within budget.
• Ensure retail/merchandising and basic eCommerce execution.
• Achieve targeted income and expense budgets by implementing promotional and marketing strategies.
• Analyze trends and results to identify growth opportunities and make recommendations to clients and customers.
• Monitor and drive growth through efficient management of promotional spending on assigned clients.
• Maintain strict control and accounting of accrual and bill‑back funds, ensuring no overspending versus trade budget.
• Meet or exceed client goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
• Launch strategies to pursue new opportunities and implement retailer headquarters calls, penetrating key positions at the retailer.
• Manage manufacturer marketing and promotional funds within financial guidelines.
• Update retail pricing and indirect order guides, correcting discrepancies.
• Secure client‑approved schematics for all client brands and support schematic, reset, and retail departments.
• Ensure 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.
• Build and maintain effective client and retailer relationships to ensure customer access.
• Develop sales presentations for customers and clients and demonstrate penetration of key retail positions.
• Provide strategic input for annual business plans, problem solving, and ongoing customer management, finding win/win scenarios.
• Communicate client goals, programs, price changes and priorities to all relevant stakeholders.
• Manage difficult situations, issues and conflicts to reach effective outcomes.

Skills

Sales presentations

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional leadership

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Tools

Computer skills

Syndicated data knowledge

Job description

Summary

Key Account Manager I

This position works closely with internal Advantage Solutions associates such as Customer Managers and order entry, claims, category management, schematics and retail associates to increase sales volume within a market. The incumbent may be dedicated to servicing multiple clients―Pioneering, Regional, or Tier 3 clients—while encompassing customer and client relations and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Drive client business at assigned customer accounts, increasing distribution, sales dollars/units, share and other KPIs while staying within budget.
• Ensure retail/merchandising and basic eCommerce execution.
• Achieve targeted income and expense budgets by implementing promotional and marketing strategies.
• Analyze trends and results to identify growth opportunities and make recommendations to clients and customers.
• Monitor and drive growth through efficient management of promotional spending on assigned clients.
• Maintain strict control and accounting of accrual and bill‑back funds, ensuring no overspending versus trade budget.
• Meet or exceed client goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume.
• Launch strategies to pursue new opportunities and implement retailer headquarters calls, penetrating key positions at the retailer.
• Manage manufacturer marketing and promotional funds within financial guidelines.
• Update retail pricing and indirect order guides, correcting discrepancies.
• Secure client‑approved schematics for all client brands and support schematic, reset, and retail departments.
• Ensure 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.
• Build and maintain effective client and retailer relationships to ensure customer access.
• Develop sales presentations for customers and clients and demonstrate penetration of key retail positions.
• Provide strategic input for annual business plans, problem solving, and ongoing customer management, finding win/win scenarios.
• Communicate client goals, programs, price changes and priorities to all relevant stakeholders.
• Manage difficult situations, issues and conflicts to reach effective outcomes.

Qualifications

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

Experience: 1–3 years of experience in an applicable field.

• Strong sales presentation and development skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of syndicated data.
• Intermediate or advanced computer skills.
• Conflict management and cross‑functional leadership abilities.
• Well‑organized, detail‑oriented, and able to handle a fast‑paced work environment.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to adjust to changing projects or business environments.
• Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy, shifting priorities amid frequent interruptions and competing deadlines.

Travel and Driving Requirements

• Travel and driving are essential functions of this job.
• Travel up to 20 % of the time.

Environment & Physical Requirements

The incumbent must be able to sit for extended periods (66 %+ of the day), hear telephone conversations, enter data on a computer, and may need to lift up to 10 lb. Work is performed primarily in an office environment.

Important Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this position. They are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required. The Company reserves the right to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job positions, or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified applicants or employees with known disabilities.