Key Accounts Growth Strategist

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

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%.