Key Acct Rep, Customer Dev

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands likeLa Brea Bakery,Otis Spunkmeyer, andOakrun Farm Bakery. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

Key Accountabilities

The Convenience Key Account Representative is responsible for the planning and execution of convenience channel objectives in the territory, broker management, managing and growing purchases thru sales activities in the chain operator and distributor segments developing incremental business opportunities, and providing effective and timely communication to internal and external customers. The Convenience Key Account Representativewill report to the Director Customer Development and support the objectives of the Retail Chain, Corporate Accounts, and Distributor channels, as well as those from shared functional resources (Analytics, Operations, Customer Marketing, Category Management, R&D, Marketing, and Finance). The Primary functions of the Convenience Key Account Representative is to develop long-term relationships with existing customers as well as secure new business in the market.

Responsibilities

• Work in conjunction with Director to implement programs for new business growth, and financial management. Works to obtain and exceed current budget and profit goals.
• Develop, implement, and manage sales strategy and tactics. Work in partnership with the Director and broker sales team to deliver sales objectives for the territory.
• Manage and expand existing base of branded business with current customers through account penetration, pricing negotiations, contract extensions, RFP's, new item placements, etc.
• Prospecting new customers and business by identifying, presenting, and closing new opportunities.
• Planning - Identify menu gaps, promotional opportunities, and key development initiatives to gain incremental sales.
• Budget - Work to develop and manage budgets pertaining to sales, margin, program funds, and allowances.
• Forecasting - Direct responsibility for managing product forecasting and roll outs of new foods.
• Team - Work with partner functions such as marketing to identify and pursue ideas, projects, opportunities that have the biggest sales and margin potential.
• Communication - Raise awareness of account issues, opportunities, and results through weekly C4C status report, and constant discussion horizontally and vertically throughout the organization.
• Represent Aspire Bakeries at tradeshows and Customer Conferences as needed.
• Maintain customer correspondence and price quote files and ensure that we have the correct financial documentation and back-up.
• Develop knowledge of our bakeries, capabilities, categories, and food handling. Communicate those attributes through training and interaction with customers and brokers.
• Interact with other departments in the organization to ensure the proper management of customer requirements.
• The Convenience Key Account Representative will be required to manage and follow the travel related expense policy set and listed in the guidelines held in relation to reimbursement when traveling to customers on behalf of Aspire Bakeries.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communication, Culinary or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have convenience experience with a proven track record of success broker, distributor, or operator level. Must have customer intimacy and experience with assigned accounts within the territory footprint.
• Proficient in MS Office, specifically PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• 50-75% travel is required.
• Candidate must be based near a major airport within the geography. No relocation is available for this position.
• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to collaborate well with others.
• The successful candidate will have a heavy focus on new business generation but must be able to also manage and grow existing customer base.
• Previous, demonstrated success in achieving incremental product placement with major accounts resulting from specific initiatives.
• Broker management experience is a plus.
• Prior Bakery experience and or a culinary background preferred. Excellent interpersonal and written and spoken communication skills needed.
• Ability to survive and thrive in an opportunistic, but fairly unstructured, environment.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.