Job Overview:

The Associate Account Manager is responsible for sales in the assigned geographical area and/or key accounts. This role will manage, direct, and coordinate all sales plans and programs while creating relationships of trust, integrity, customer satisfaction, and loyalty with their clients. They collaborate with their teams to achieve the objective of building out the store and ensure customer compliance. The Associate Account Manager is intended to be a progression into an Account Manager role and will consist of a small book of business and opportunities for added training and exposure, with support from a Sr. Account Manager or Sales Manager.

What does it mean to be part of the Sales team? 

The Sales team is responsible for providing high quality, streamlined service with a focus on corporate initiatives for their assigned customer(s). Our sales team is crucial in delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. With an ever-expanding selection of 1,000 new products every month, our team helps maximize sales with the right assortment of products based on customers' demographics and lifestyle. We are responsible for creating relationships of trust, integrity, customer satisfaction and loyalty to help our customers achieve their goals, delivering better together. 

Responsibilities

• Account Management & Strategic Sales Planning

• Responsible for one or more customers’ sales growth plans in partnership with direct supervisor’s guidance and a Joint Business Plan.

• Represent customer accounts purchasing from Natural and Conventional UNFI divisions.

• Partner with sales team and region merchandising to execute sales plans and goals designed to increase sales, profit margin, and minimize expenses.

• Makes key decisions on addressing and identifying customer needs and concerns for assigned accounts in support of Mgr Sales or Mgr Account.

• Forecast profit, volume growth and other related goals as determined. Assist with the preparation of a sales budget for assigned accounts.

• Bridge for assigned Customers between Sales and Ops to manage through challenges and provide resolutions.

Deliver Account Results

• Responsible for budgeted sales and profit margin results for assigned accounts.

• Analyze sales reporting and create strategies to drive sales.

• Develop well-defined plans to drive sales and profit margin across all product departments and professional services for assigned accounts.

• Drives proactively the company’s initiatives to ensure the success of the customer.

Manage Relationships

• Partners with internal and external shareholders to establish open lines of communication regarding all aspects of the business. Focuses efforts on mutual sales and profit growth.

• Regularly interacts with customer leadership teams to present opportunities and communicate resolutions to build trust and grow profitable sales.

Manage Execution

• Conduct regular reviews of sales activities and effectiveness. Regularly work with vendors, brokers, and merchandising teams to develop promotions and incentives to increase sales and improve performance.

• Coordinate with a cross-functional team of resources to ensure account goals are achieved. Works collaboratively with Merchandising, Product Specialists, and Professional Services to identify strategic selling opportunities for accounts.

• Meets or exceeds account expectations and established deadlines.

Professional and Career Growth

• Focused and strategic partnership with learning & development team, account management team, and direct supervisor to gain full understanding of best practices in sales growth and relationship management to deliver sales results.

• Individual development plan to include strategic training courses and personalized development strategies.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

  Experience:

• 1-2 years sales experience preferred

• Understanding and knowledge of products

• Development and execution of business plans, sales plans, and/or commission programs.

• Familiarity with sales opportunities

• Understanding of sales forecasting, programs, promotions, and related techniques

• Understanding of margin and company profitability

• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding customer expectations

• Ability to work in a result-driven environment

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and company system

  Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

• Aptitude for financial reporting

• Ability to lead without reporting authority

• Ability to interact at all levels of the business

• Able to manage and coordinate projects

• Excellent customer service skills, problem-solving, attention to detail, and organizational skills

• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

  Work Environment: 

  Hybrid Role:

• This position follows a hybrid schedule, working in the office 2-3 days per week. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required

  Travel (major): 

• Travel is required up to 50% for this position.