National Account Manager

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies, promotion and other trade opportunity investment participation in order to accelerate target market penetration for their assigned customers.

• A minimum 50% overnight travel based on geographical and chain account responsibilities and other company determined objectives.

• Develop and maintain account profiles for assigned accounts.

• Prepare activity reports as required.

• Prepare quarterly account business project report and results.

• Quarterly planning of resources toward key customers to bring value-added services in providing solutions to customers needs

• Develop business with custom products (assuming case hurdles are met with approval).

• Identify high potential chains through market reconnaissance and networking.

• Work with culinary resources and execute menu ideation session for key customers

• Generate a sustainable revenue stream which aligns with company expectations.

• Develop new business with new customers while building strong relationships with key chain account decision makers.

• Maintain a revolving customer account list and personal responsibility of those customers.

• Evaluate market trends and gather competitor information to identify trends that affect sales and profitability and disseminate this information to key stakeholders.

• Manage relevant communication between customer networks and Gehl Foods key stakeholders to facilitate communication of new items, promotions or other business opportunities and changes in order to improve market shares in all product lines.

• Be the market expert on new and emerging chains, and be the expert on market reconnaissance and networking with large and emerging chains.

• Maintain hunter mentality always searching for new customers and product opportunities

• Collaborates with sales executives to establish and control budgets for sales promotions and trade investment opportunities.

• Provide analyzed reporting and conduct high-level business reviews aimed at addressing Gehl Foods customers key performance sales metrics, expenses, initiatives and revenue stream forecasting.

• Maintains a robust working knowledge of all company products and equipment in order to leverage and explain features and benefits to customer base.

• Responsible for negotiation, administration and management of sales contracts for specified customer base in order to deliver products and services according to plan, within budget and meeting all sales projections.

• Serve as a primary source to resolve overall issues relative to pricing, products, inventory or service between Gehl Foods, customers, broker networks, support offices and vendors.

• Drive proactive suggestions and implementation to encourage continuous process improvement in order to increase organizational profitability.

• Collaborates with sales executives to develop regional sales policies, practices and procedures.

• Deliver on the Annual Operating Plan

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Finance or other related field strongly preferred or an equivalent proven track record of industry success

• 5 years outside sales experience in the foodservice industry

• Proficient using Microsoft Office Tools including Excel and Power Point

• Ability to work a flexible schedule in order to meet customer expectations and availability

• Demonstrated negotiation and persuasion skills

• Possess the skills to develop & implement business plans in assigned area.

• Proven track record of leveraging relationships to achieve business goals

• Demonstrated effective public speaking skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

• Proven track record of rapidly and consistently generating sales revenue

• Valid Drivers license

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree preferred

• Bilingual abilities in Spanish

• 10 years experience managing key chain accounts and/or a large regional broker network or sales force