National Account Manager – Central

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Create and implement strategic account plans for designated national and regional grocery customers in the Central U.S. to achieve profitable revenue, increased distribution, enhanced market share, and growth in trade investment.

• Manage customer relationships, conduct business reviews, coordinate promotional planning, oversee new item launches, prioritize merchandising, and ensure effective retail execution for assigned accounts.

• Direct broker and distributor partners by establishing priorities, monitoring performance, and enforcing accountability in relation to sales targets, execution standards, and company goals.

• Develop annual forecasts, manage promotional calendars, and evaluate performance against sales, volume, profit, fill rate, distribution, forecast accuracy, and trade spending objectives.

• Negotiate customer programs, promotional strategies, pricing, and distributor contracts that foster mutually advantageous growth and profitability.

• Assess internal, customer, category, and market data to pinpoint risks, opportunities, white-space potential, and necessary corrective actions.

• Collaborate across departments with marketing, category management, operations, finance, and customer service to synchronize plans, resolve issues, and achieve company objectives.

• Remain informed about retailer strategies, competitive activities, category trends, supply and demand dynamics, and economic indicators to guide account decisions.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field is preferred.

• Over 6 years of progressive experience in CPG sales with national and/or regional grocery customers, particularly in food, natural, or better-for-you brands.

• Strong commercial and financial insight with expertise in account planning, trade strategy, forecasting, pricing, promotional effectiveness, and P&L management.

• Proven success in influencing buyers, brokers, distributors, and internal stakeholders through effective communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Analytical mindset with the capacity to interpret sales, category, retailer, and syndicated data into actionable insights, recommendations, and business decisions.

• Highly collaborative, organized, and accountable, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growth-driven environment.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and familiar with sales planning, forecasting, trade management, and retailer reporting tools.

• Willingness to travel up to 40%; must be located in the Central Time Zone near a major airport.

🏝️ Benefits

• Eligible for performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive options for medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) retirement plan, subject to plan terms.

• Paid time off, company holidays, and other paid leave programs, as applicable.