Strategic Account Executive

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.; Franklin (IN); On-site; USD 51,401 - 80,773; Full time

Job summary

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is seeking a Strategic Accounts Executive to drive growth and retention for select key accounts with portfolios over $250K in potential revenue.

The role will develop strategic plans, analyze data, and deliver cost‑savings and value realization. You will build executive relationships across Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Engineering, ensuring disciplined site‑level engagement and adoption of MSC solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in sales and marketing, including 2+ years in industrial, manufacturing, or distribution sales.
• Proven track record of selling profitable solutions and meeting or exceeding sales plans.
• Excellence in sales, negotiation, relationship building, and closing, with the ability to influence at multiple organizational levels.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply insights from customer financial statements to support solution recommendations.
• Strong project management skills with a solid history of accountability and results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Salesforce.com (CRM).
• Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data from multiple systems to recommend solutions.

Responsibilities

• Sell, manage and retain portfolios over $250K in potential revenue to achieve profitable growth and retention.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans that anticipate customer needs, align with business objectives, and drive account penetration.
• Proactively identify churn indicators and implement interventions to safeguard retention and customer satisfaction.
• Negotiate and renew agreements with underperforming or at‑risk accounts to optimize value realization and profitability.
• Deliver measurable cost‑savings initiatives and demonstrate profitability through regular customer assessments and solution optimization.
• Conduct Continuous Improvement Reviews (CIRs) with senior stakeholders to showcase value delivered and identify new opportunities.
• Build and maintain trusted internal and external relationships with leaders in Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Engineering.
• Ensure seamless onboarding of new customers, coordinating with internal teams to deliver commitments and adoption.
• Engage with site‑level contacts to strengthen solution adoption and ensure consistent execution of account strategies.
• Maintain disciplined use of CRM tools and reporting standards to ensure accuracy in forecasting and account visibility.
• Act as a strategic advisor by leveraging market insights, benchmarking, and industry trends to educate customers and strengthen partnerships.
• Analyze customer data and trends to recommend process improvements that reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Present financial and operational insights to customer executives, linking MSC’s solutions to measurable business outcomes.

Skills

Sales excellence

Negotiation

Relationship building

Analytical thinking

Communication

Project management

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent experience

Tools

Salesforce.com

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

BRIEF POSITION SUMMARY

Strategic Accounts Executive is responsible for driving sales growth, managing and retaining select key account locations across portfolios exceeding $250K in potential revenue, driving profitable growth through customer analysis, strategic account planning, and value realization. This role focuses on maximizing account penetration and long‑term retention by delivering measurable value through cost‑savings initiatives, continuous improvement reviews (CIRs), and solution optimization. This role develops trusted executive‑level relationships with cross‑functional leaders in Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Engineering, while also ensuring disciplined engagement at the site level to strengthen adoption and results. In addition, they position MSC’s solutions as a long‑term competitive advantage.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sell, manage and retain portfolios over $250K in potential revenue to achieve profitable growth and retention.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans that anticipate customer needs, align with business objectives, and drive account penetration.
• Proactively identify churn indicators and implement interventions to safeguard retention and customer satisfaction.
• Negotiate and renew agreements with underperforming or at‑risk accounts to optimize value realization and profitability.
• Deliver measurable cost‑savings initiatives and demonstrate profitability through regular customer assessments and solution optimization.
• Conduct Continuous Improvement Reviews (CIRs) with senior stakeholders to showcase value delivered and identify new opportunities.
• Build and maintain trusted internal and external relationships with leaders in Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Engineering.
• Ensure seamless onboarding of new customers, coordinating with internal teams to deliver commitments and adoption.
• Engage with site‑level contacts to strengthen solution adoption and ensure consistent execution of account strategies.
• Maintain disciplined use of CRM tools and reporting standards to ensure accuracy in forecasting and account visibility.
• Act as a strategic advisor by leveraging market insights, benchmarking, and industry trends to educate customers and strengthen partnerships.
• Analyze customer data and trends to recommend process improvements that reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Present financial and operational insights to customer executives, linking MSC’s solutions to measurable business outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated sales and marketing success, including at least 2 years in industrial, manufacturing, or distribution sales.
• Proven track record of selling profitable solutions and services, consistently meeting or exceeding sales plans.
• Demonstrated excellence in sales, negotiation, relationship building, and closing, with the ability to influence at multiple organizational levels.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply insights from customer financial statements to support solution recommendations.
• Strong project management skills with a solid history of accountability and results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Salesforce.com (CRM).
• Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data from multiple systems to recommend solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver impactful presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven success collaborating cross‑functionally (e.g., Marketing, Product Management, Finance) and with leaders holding competing priorities.
• High attention to detail, follow‑through, and ability to adapt quickly to changing business needs and market conditions.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to make sound, timely decisions.
• Self‑motivated and adaptable, able to perform effectively in both independent and team environments.

Bonus Points If You Have

• Industrial or manufacturing segment experience preferred

Other Requirements

• A valid driver’s license may be required.
• Capable of driving up to several hours per day to customer location(s) within an assigned territory or region is required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks (walking, bending, standing for long periods).
• Willingness to comply with customer safety and PPE protocols.
• This position may require access to International Traffic in Arms Regulations Information ("ITAR") and/or Controlled Unclassified Information ("CUI").

*INDICATES ESSENTIAL DUTIES

To perform this job successfully an associate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of knowledge, experience level and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

COMPENSATION

Compensation starting at $51,401 - $80,773 with commission opportunities depending on candidate location and experience.

The salary range represented is based on similar roles in comparable industries, and the cost of labor in respective cities. Actual compensation is based on the candidate’s relevant experience, education requirements and peer pay equity. The Company reserves the right to modify the range as market conditions change.

WORK LOCATION

Indianapolis, IN

OTHER INFORMATION

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position at this time.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

At MSC, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all qualified applicants and our associates without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any category protected by applicable law. Accommodation requests can be made at any stage of the recruitment process; applicants are asked to make their needs/requirements known.