National Account Manager - UNFI/Upper Midwest

Schwan's; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 105,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

Schwan's Company is seeking a National Account Manager to oversee a $14-16 million sales portfolio across major retailers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This role focuses on strategic planning and relationship management with retail partners, ensuring profitability and sales growth through data-driven strategies. If you have a solid background in sales and a passion for retail success, we want to hear from you!

Benefits

Competitive health benefits

Retirement and financial wellbeing programs

Time off programs

Wellbeing support programs

Car allowance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years related experience in sales or national accounts.
• Experience in category management within CPG food industry.
• Competence in joint business strategic planning and trade spend management.

Responsibilities

• Lead a $14-16M sales portfolio across key accounts.
• Drive business planning, promotional strategy, and contract negotiations.
• Analytical role supporting data-driven decision-making.
• Travel up to 20% within the Upper Midwest.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

Schwan’s Company, a U.S. affiliate of the global lifestyle brand CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leader in manufacturing and marketing quality foods enjoyed nationwide. We have beloved brands like Red Baron, Tony’s, Big Daddy’s, Villa Prima and Freschetta pizzas; bibigo, Pagoda Asian-style snacks and we can’t forget Mrs. Smith’s and Edwards pies! We bring families and communities together through great food. Join our team and see the opportunities are real, and the sky is the limit; this isn’t just a job, it’s a seat at the table!

We’re looking for a driven National Account Manager to lead sales and growth strategies across major retailers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including Cub Foods, UNFI, Woodman’s, Fareway Foods and a few other regional accounts. In this role, you’ll manage a $14-16M portfolio and build strategic partnerships to maximize sales and profitability. If you're a strategic thinker with a passion for retail success—we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities:

• Lead our 14 to 16 million sales portfolio across key accounts: Cub Foods, UNFI, Woodman’s, Fareway Foods and other regional accounts in MN and WI market
• Drive joint business planning, promotional strategy, and contract negotiations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail partners and field teams
• Develop and execute strategic account plans to maximize sales and profitability
• Ensure pricing and promotional parity across customers
• Analyze data to inform strategy and optimize performance
• Support local events and resolve account-level challenges
• Manage accurate reporting, sales forecasts, and trade spend tracking
• Collaborate cross-functionally to bring products and programs to market
• Travel up to 20% within the Upper Midwest region

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 7+ years in sales, national accounts, or category management in the CPG food industry
• Strong leadership, joint business strategic planning, financial acumen and negotiation skills
• Proven experience managing trade spend and promotions
• Experience working cross functionally

Compensation and Benefits:

The base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $174,000 annually with eligibility for a 25% annual incentive bonus which is based on organizational performance plus a car allowance. The salary range represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to education, skills, work experience, certifications, geography etc. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a strong foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support programs.

The employing subsidiaries of Schwan's Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin, or other protected class.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelors degree or equivalent.

Years of Related Experience: Minimum of 7 years related experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Competent in evaluating and interpreting primary and secondary research results andfinancial information. Competent in understanding food service industry market channels, manufacturing environments,and multiple sales and distribution systems. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals,professional journals, technical procedures, and/or government regulations. Ability to work with mathematicalconcepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages,ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to develop and work within budgets.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the job. An individual must be able to perform all ofthe duties and responsibilities listed in a fully competent manner to be considered successful in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individualswith disabilities to perform essential duties and responsibilities.