National Sales Account Manager

Driven to fulfill customer needs, we help improve food products across the world for both people and pets. With over 40 years of experience and through committed service and sustainable protein solutions, we are dedicated to building a better business for our customers.

The National Sales Account Manager provides field service to existing customers and develops new sales opportunities for Essentia food ingredient products. The incumbent will develop and execute account strategies, forecast sales, budget expenses, and coordinate activities relative to all functional groups within Essentia.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or equivalent experience (5-8 years), or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in food ingredients sales required.
• Previous sales management experience required.
• Food and Savory industry experience preferred.

JOB DUTIES:

Sales Duties:

• Work closely with upper management to develop and implement sales and marketing plans and strategies including pricing, margin generation and negotiation of contracts.
• Visit customers on a regular basis (about 50% field time in the US) to provide sales service and technical product consulting on applications, discover and evaluate new application opportunity, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Evaluate market conditions, thus analyzing current prospects for business and forecasting future trends.
• Participate in national and regional trade shows for the promotion of Essentia products and technology.
• Manage an in-home office including correspondence and telemarketing activities and maintain consistent and effective communications with all relevant corporate groups and manufacturing sites.
• Provide business intelligence and insight into the competitive landscape.
• Work daily in the CRM system creating customer communications, updating customer activities, managing sales opportunities, etc. 
• Complete all necessary sales documents (i.e.: expense reports, budgeting, forecasting, etc.) in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate and support Essentia cross-functional teams requesting your services/participation.
• All other duties assigned by the Vice President of Sales – North America. 

Customer Service Duties:

• Manage product-related problems with customers such as quantity/quality of product, delivery of product and associated billing problems.
• Act as a resource for customers by providing related information as well as educating customers about the various applications of Essentia products.
• Provide product related technical information and consultation to customers.

Professional Development/Continuing Education Duties:

• Attend conferences and seminars to learn about current developments in research and the potential impact on Essentia products.
• Regularly review industry updates/trends and emerging marketplace opportunities.
• Develop skills through training and seminars to enhance the negotiation and selling process of Essentia products.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Background in food ingredients and the ability to apply that knowledge to the sales function.
• Knowledge of key account strategies/techniques and the ability to analyze business trends and product cycles.
• Ability to effectively communicate with management, research staff, customers and other business contacts.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge to troubleshoot elementary difficulties in various customer applications.
• Ability to learn, understand and communicate product information of a technical nature to customers.
• Manage and maintain corporate confidential information as well as customer confidential information such as formulations, results, etc.
• Knowledge of organizational methods and the ability to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.
• Ability to comply with work-related deadlines.
• Ability to operate all necessary office equipment required to accomplish job duties such as computers, cell phones, etc.
• Competent with technology and basic software systems (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Ability to work daily and extended hours as necessary.
• Willingness to set up and conduct business activities from a home office.
• Ability to assist with special or ongoing projects as instructed by senior management.
• Ability to travel up to 50% with most travel in the domestic US and some potential for international travel.
• Ability to promote teamwork amongst the sales group and with other Essentia departments.
• Ability to interact with and influence key decision-makers. 

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