Sr. Sales Manager, Key Accounts

Are you a self-driven person looking to advance your career as a high-impact player on a team? If so, we have an exciting challenge for you and your future!

Our culture is built on value commitments to innovation, quality, results, integrity, community, people, and collaboration that fosters a strong employee engagement, teamwork, safety and wellness. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, wellness programs, employee discounts, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, ongoing development, advancement opportunities and more.

Founded in 1846, today HP Hood is one of the largest and most trusted food and beverage manufacturers in the United States. Our portfolio of national and super-regional brands and licensed products includes Hood, Heluva Good, Lactaid, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze, Planet Oat and more.

The Senior Sales Manager, Key Account is responsible for overseeing the strategic development and execution of sales plans within key accounts in the Food & Beverage sector. This position involves managing and expanding relationships with major retail chains, distributors, and large-scale clients to achieve revenue growth, market penetration, and overall business objectives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in key account management, business development, and sales strategy within the food and beverage industry.

Responsible for supporting Market Basket.

• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with key customers, including large retail chains, food service clients, wholesalers, and distributors.
• Manage a portfolio of strategic accounts, ensuring strong customer loyalty and retention.
• Act as the primary point of contact for key accounts, addressing client inquiries, needs, and concerns in a timely and professional manner.

• Formulate and implement sales strategies for key accounts to maximize revenue, increase market share, and strengthen brand positioning.
• Collaborate with marketing, product development, and operations teams to ensure that promotional activities align with customer needs and business goals.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and customer feedback to identify new opportunities for growth.

• Continuously monitor the competitive landscape and industry trends to identify new opportunities and threats.
• Gather insights on customer behavior, competitor activity, and market dynamics to inform strategic decisions.
• Provide feedback to the product development and marketing teams on emerging customer preferences and market needs.

• Prepare accurate sales forecasts and business plans for key accounts, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
• Track account performance metrics, including sales volume, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Provide regular updates and detailed reports to senior management on key account activities, challenges, and opportunities.
• Manage sales budgets for assigned accounts, ensuring that all activities are conducted within budget and deliver ROI.
• Optimize sales activities to improve cost-efficiency and profitability

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, and supply chain, to ensure that customer requirements are met and sales targets are achieved.
• Mentor and support junior account managers and sales team members, providing guidance on best practices, customer relationship management, and sales tactics.

• Lead negotiations on pricing, terms, and conditions for key accounts, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements are reached.
• Prepare and manage contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Monitor account performance against targets and adjust sales strategies as needed to meet goals.

• Collaborate with marketing to plan and execute promotional campaigns, events, and in-store activations that drive sales and customer engagement.
• Ensure that customers are equipped with relevant sales tools and materials to drive product visibility and sales.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, preferred. MBA a plus.
• 7+ years of experience in key account management, sales, or business development within the Food & Beverage or Consumer Products industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large, strategic accounts and driving revenue growth.
• Experience in managing national or regional retail accounts.
• Experience in developing and executing promotional strategies.
• Experience with CRM systems and sales management software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Experience in negotiating complex deals.

• Applies foundational knowledge in sales strategy, category management, project execution, and P&L…