Sales Account Manager II (Northeast Region)

*This role will support the Northeast Region- based out of Pittsburg, Boston, NY, New Jersey, and Philadelphia as well as Virginia/DC/Maryland *

Have accountability for the development, growth, and management of assigned accounts and account strategies. Manage the food service and dairy ingredient sales function and any aspect, including tactical activities, to optimize profitability and operational efficiency. Work with complex or large territory/account, products/services, or sales or account management processes. Develop existing customers to their full potential and use market insights and industry relationships to identify and then develop target customers. Apply strong understanding of the company's products, product lines, and/or services; existing customers and potential customer landscape; consumers; the sales cycle; and industry trends. May be recognized as an expert in one area.

• Develop, manage, and execute a successful sales cycle across the area of assigned territories and customer segments.
• Drive growth in the dairy product category by continuously improving the customer portfolio.
• Deliver on assigned volume, profit, and administrative targets for the assigned accounts (national/regional)
• Listen to customers to learn their future needs and anticipate new areas of business development for DFA
• Identify new sales/business opportunities, new markets, the need for new products, , and initiate action plans to increase share of market with existing and new accounts. Lead and participate in new account prospecting and sales calls
• Utilize a "solutions selling" approach drawing from organizational strengths and capabilities:
  • Determine customer needs, problems, insights, and strategy
  • Identify, clearly outline, and present the opportunity details including short- and long-term value to DFA
  • Drive opportunities to commercialization internally, and most critically, "close" with the customer
• Follow a recognized sales process (e.g., channel plan, pre-call, post-call, insights gathering, opportunity pipeline, execute, close, report) and use the organization's capabilities to maximize opportunities
• Provide innovative ideas to customers by understanding their brands, platforms, and strategies
• Prepare and deliver sales presentations, product demonstrations, and proposals on existing and new products and/or services. Educate clients on the benefits and features of the products and/or services
• Develop, recommend, and help implement annual sales plans and strategies (retail, foodservice, )
• Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to inform strategic planning and product development.
• Influence the cross-functional team to streamline processes and broaden capabilities by demonstrating the value through customer opportunities. Provide strategic and tactical direction from customer feedback and market intelligence
• Provide customers with exceptional customer care; work with urgency to resolve customer issues and problems in a transparent manner with functional areas of DFA. Elevate and help resolve gaps within processes or systems to continue to improve the customer care
• "Own" the performance of assigned accounts and take action on difficult or complex account challenges and opportunities while effectively balancing the needs of DFA and the customer
• Build and Foster customer relationships at various levels across multiple functions (R&D, marketing, purchasing, quality assurance, operations) and facilitate the growth of customer counterpart relationships within DFA

• Negotiate all aspects of a customer interaction, as directed by sales leadership, such as non-disclosure agreements, pricing, terms, contracts, and other items as necessary
• Utilize the various systems and processes such as the order process, Salesforce/Power BI, inventory management, logistics systems, supply/demand planning, Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, sales activities, and sales pipelines
• Assist in training new sales and internal personnel, when appropriate
• Represent the company at industry and customer trade shows, as approved.
• Monitor accounts receivable reports to identify unusual customer activities or payment failures that require further attention; ensure that established company credit policies and objectives are met and ensure that action is taken to collect on delinquent accounts
• Negotiate all aspects of customer interactions, including NDAs, pricing, terms, and contracts.
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills Other duties may be assigned as required

• Undergraduate degree in business, sales, marketing, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 5 to 8 years of sales, account management, or related experience that includes proven results in growing and advancing new market expansion and profitable sales growth
• Experience in the retail, foodservice, dairy, consumer packaged goods/foods, or related industry
• Dairy industry experience is highly preferred.
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment

• Strong knowledge of sales techniques and the company, products, and application
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational abilities.
• Strategic thinker with a passion for closing deals and delivering customer value.
• Ability to manage complex customer needs and develop innovative solutions.
• Comfortable navigating complex siloed internal and external organizations.
• Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset.
• Able to influence people in their opinions, attitudes, or judgments
• Able to build (farm) or develop (hunt) business by discerning real opportunity from distractions
• Able to build and maintain a diverse set of relationships with multiple types of people on the broader team
• Able to adapt and refocus approach situationally or holistically to meet goals and objectives
• Able to demonstrate excellent customer service skills and solve complex customer demands and problems
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.e., organizational skills)
• Able to deliver on commitments and deadlines
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Orientation toward and passion for sales
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

50%-75% travel required

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans