Key Account Manager I

your adv; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Solutions in Chicago seeks a Key Account Manager I to service multiple clients and collaborate with Customer Managers, order entry, claims, category management, schematics and retail associates to grow sales across markets. You will manage Pioneering, Regional, and Tier 3 clients, expand distribution, optimize promotions, and ensure retail execution while maintaining budgets.

This role requires 1–3 years of experience, strong communication, and a proactive, organized approach to

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in applicable field.
• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive clients’ business at assigned accounts and increase distribution and sales.
• Ensure retail/merchandising and basic eCommerce execution.
• Analyze trends to identify growth opportunities and advise clients.
• Manage promotional spend to meet budgets and goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with retailers and clients.

Skills

Client relationship management

Sales presentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation skills

Data analysis

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

CRM software

Syndicated data tools

Job description

Key Account Manager I

This position also 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. This incumbent may be dedicated to servicing multiple clients’ goals, while also encompassing customer and client relations and implementation. Clients will consist of Pioneering clients (manufacturers that do not currently have distribution in the customers the associate is responsible for), Regional clients (manufacturers not represented through a National contract but ratherretain the services on a regional, market, or customer specific basis) or Tier 3 clients (manufacturers with minimal volume, sku counts, and commission revenue). The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Drive our clients’ business at assigned customer. Increase distribution, grow sales dollars/units/share/other KPI’s, while staying within budget guidelines
• Responsible for ensuring retail/merchandising execution and basic eCommerce execution
• Achieves targeted income and expense budgets by implementing promotional and marketing strategies
• Analyzes trends and results to identify growth opportunities and makes recommendations to clients and customers
• Monitors and drives growth through efficient management of promotional spending within guidelines on assigned client
• Meets budgetary goals by maintaining strict control and accounting of accrual and bill-back funds for assigned client
• Meets expectation for managing period ending fund balance performance with no overspends vs. trade budget
• Meets or exceeds Client’s goals for sales, distribution, share, pricing, shelving, and promotional volume
• Launches strategies to pursue new opportunities
• Implements retailer headquarter calls and penetrate key positions at the retailer to:
  • Achieve sales goals by managing and maximizing manufacturer marketing and promotional funds while staying within financial guidelines
  • Ensure that all retail pricing and indirect order guides within the division is updated by regularly correcting discrepancies
  • Secure Client approved schematics for all Clients’ brands by providing direction and communication to our schematic, reset, and retail department
  • Ensure incremental sales through distribution of new products and maintenance of existing SKU’s
• Collaborate with category management team to develop retailer presentations by using database rationale such as SKU optimization, efficient promotion causal data, and lift analysis
• Manage accounts to achieve the targeted ACV on Innovation
• Builds and maintains effective client and retailer relationships in order to ensure customer access and client perspective that we are connected and engaged with key stakeholders
• Demonstrates sales accomplishments and areas of opportunity by developing sales presentations for Customers and Client
• Implements Customer HQ Calls and demonstrates an ability to penetrate key positions at the retailer
• Offers strategic input pursuant to annual business plans, problem solving, ongoing customer management. Finds the intersection of retailer and client objectives and drive win/win scenarios
• Provides timely and fluid communication on Client goals, programs, price changes, and priorities to include all necessary people and information
• Manages difficult situations, issues and conflicts to get to an effective outcome

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct Reports- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports
• Indirect Reports- This position does not have guidance or mentoring responsibilities for indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job - Travel up to 20 %

Education Level

• (Required): High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience
• (Preferred): Bachelors Degree

Field of Study/Area of Experience

• 1-3 years of experience in applicable field

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 communication and verbal communication skills
• Conflict management skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide cross-functional leadership
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Flexible and adaptable, able to change and alter according to changes in projects or business environment
• Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy shifting from one to another with frequent interruptions and competing deadlines

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled