Experienced Senior Key Account Manager - Customer Sales, Northeast Region - Strategic Business Development and Leadership

Introduction to blithequark

Imagine being part of a dynamic and fast-paced environment where passion, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit come together to drive success. At blithequark, we are committed to becoming the number one sports drink, and we are looking for a talented Senior Key Account Manager to join our team in the Northeast region. As a key leader within our organization, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our business, leading cross-functional teams, developing strategic plans, and driving results across multiple national and regional channel customers.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Key Account Manager to lead our customer sales efforts in the Northeast region, specifically focusing on grocery customers such as Price Chopper NY, Tops, Big Y, Market Basket, and other assigned accounts. As a Senior Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans, negotiating annual agreements, and providing subject matter expertise to resolve complex customer issues. Your goal will be to deliver business results, drive growth, and build strong relationships with our customers and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans to achieve business objectives across assigned customers, including Price Chopper NY, Tops, Big Y, Market Basket, and other regional grocery customers
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver annual plans, negotiate agreements, and resolve customer issues
• Provide subject matter expertise to drive business results, including topline growth, revenue, volume, share, and key financial metrics such as trade spend and T&E budgets
• Partner with senior management and cross-functional team members to build annual plans, develop customer selling stories, and deliver key execution metrics
• Oversee account updates, performance reporting, and problem-solving to ensure delivery of business objectives
• Develop and leverage top-level external relationships at major accounts to optimize blithequark positioning in the market
• Participate in system routines, such as customer core teams, to provide customer updates and action plans
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including sales, marketing, and innovation teams, to ensure alignment and focus on delivering key customer objectives

System Leadership

In this role, you will be expected to participate in all system routines as needed, providing customer updates, annual plan targets, and on-going performance updates. You will work closely with blithequark teams and external partners to maximize mutual customer plans, results, and execution. Your ability to build and leverage relationships with both internal and external stakeholders will be critical to your success.

Cross-Functional Communication and Collaboration

As a Senior Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for providing on-going updates on customer plan results and opportunities to blithequark management. You will participate in key cross-functional routines, ensuring flawless execution of customer programs and initiatives. Your ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with internal stakeholders will be essential to driving business results and achieving our goals.

Organizational/People Development

In this role, you will be expected to fully leverage all cross-functional resources to deliver best-in-class capabilities to customers. You will manage to annual T&E budget for your department, ensuring alignment with internal financial objectives. Your ability to develop and execute strategic plans, manage budgets, and drive results will be critical to your success.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A Bachelor's degree or relevant experience in sales, marketing, or a related field
• At least 5 years of experience in direct sales in the CPG industry, with a proven track record of successfully selling into multiple national and regional channel customers
• Experience developing strong collaborative strategic relationships with national retailers
• Ability to utilize and mine syndicated data to translate into fact-based storytelling
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with a strong desire to produce results and drive growth
• Passion for building brands, new products, and long-term growth
• Verifiable list of current contacts with appropriate buyers and divisional managers
• Solid computer skills in Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, with strong understanding and analytical skills in understanding Nielsen/IRI syndicated data

Preferred Qualifications

While not required, the following qualifications are preferred:

• Experience working in the sports drink or beverage industry
• Knowledge of the Northeast region, including key customers, retailers, and market trends
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or other data analytics tools
• Strong understanding of sales channel development, merchandising, and demand generation

Skills and Competencies

To be successful in this role, you will need to possess the following skills and competencies:

• Branding and business planning
• Channels strategy and development
• Communication and cross-functional teamwork
• Customer insights and demand generation
• Leadership and strategic planning
• Merchandising and sales channel development
• Microsoft Office and data analytics tools
• Problem-solving and analytical skills

Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits

At blithequark, we are committed to the growth and development of our employees. As a Senior Key Account Manager, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and expertise, working with a talented team of professionals who are passionate about driving business results and achieving our goals. You will have access to training and development programs, including sales and marketing training, leadership development, and data analytics tools. Our goal is to help you succeed and grow in your career, and we are committed to providing the support and resources you need to achieve your goals.

Work Environment and Company Culture

At blithequark, we are proud of our dynamic and fast-paced work environment, where passion, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit come together to drive success. We are committed to building a culture that is inclusive, diverse, and supportive, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and grow. Our company culture is built on four key behaviors: curious, empowered, inclusive, and agile. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive, and we are committed to maintaining a work environment that is collaborative, supportive, and fun.

Compensation, Perks, and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range of $134,800 - $165,200, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to your base salary, you will be eligible for a range of benefits, including medical, financial, and other perks. Our annual incentive reference value percentage is 30, indicating performance at target. We believe that our compensation and benefits package is competitive and reflects our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent.

Conclusion

If you are a motivated and results-driven sales professional looking for a new challenge, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. As a Senior Key Account Manager at blithequark, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our business, drive growth, and build strong relationships with our customers and internal stakeholders. Don't miss out on this chance to join our dynamic team and contribute to our success. Apply today and take the first step towards an exciting and rewarding career with blithequark.