Assistant Account Manager - National Retail Accounts

WHO WE ARE

Opening our doors in 1947, we are a third-generation, family-owned and operated direct importer, converter, and full-service distributor. We value the connections made over the bond people share through food, whether they are internal or external. For more information about who we are, please visit Peterson Company (petersoncheese.com).

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Assistant Account Manager supports the Retail Account Managers in managing and growing an assigned portfolio of national grocery chain accounts. This role handles day-to-day buyer communications, supports commercial activity, assists with order and service coordination, and identifies opportunities to grow revenue within the existing account base. The Assistant Manager is a development role designed to build the skills, product knowledge, and retail account expertise needed to advance into a full Retail Manager position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Account Support & Buyer Relationships – Support the Account Managers in managing day-to-day buyer relationships, ensuring chain accounts receive timely, accurate, and professional responses. Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned accounts, handling routine buyer inquiries, order follow-ups, and communications within established SLA timeframes.
• Operational & Policy Communication – Support the Account Managers in communicating pricing changes, policy updates, and operational changes to assigned accounts. Maintain accuracy and timeliness of customer and sales team data in the system.
• Sales Support & Revenue Growth – Assist in identifying and acting on revenue growth opportunities within existing accounts, including new SKU introductions and program expansion. Support new account onboarding and participate in trade shows, buyer meetings, and customer events.
• Product Knowledge Development – Develop strong knowledge of Peterson’s product assortment, including cheese, charcuterie, and specialty food categories. Stay current on new products, seasonal offerings, and promotional programming.
• Internal Collaboration – Coordinate with Customer Success & Sales Operations on order accuracy, issue resolution, and buyer service needs. Communicate account feedback and market observations to the Account Manager and Sr. Director of Strategic Accounts. Support forecasting, account planning, and reporting.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• 2 years of sales, account management, or customer-facing experience in specialty food, grocery, or a related field
• Genuine interest in specialty food and specialty grocery retail, with a willingness to develop deep product knowledge
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative account team

Preferred

• Prior experience in a retail sales support or account coordination role in food or distribution
• Familiarity with CRM tools and account planning processes
• Knowledge of Pacific Northwest specialty or regional grocery accounts
• College degree preferred

What We Bring

Compensation — In accordance with Washington state law, in good-faith, the total annual compensation is estimated between $75,000 and $85,000, with final base salary determined by skills and experience.

Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage — Comprehensive insurance plans are available to eligible employees and their covered dependents.

Life Insurance — Peterson Company provides $25,000 in employer‑paid basic life insurance policy, with additional voluntary coverage options available.

401(k) Retirement Plan — Employees may begin contributing after 30 days of employment. Peterson Company matches approximately $0.30 per dollar up to 6% of eligible income. A dedicated financial partner is available to support investment education and planning.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The Peterson Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other factor protected by law.