Key Account Manager, Food & Beverage

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Key Account Manager, Food & Beverage based in the United States.** We are seeking a results-driven, customer-focused professional to manage strategic accounts and drive sustainable growth across the food and beverage industry. In this role, you will build trusted relationships with key decision-makers while delivering consultative sales solutions tailored to customer needs. You will combine technical expertise, account development, and strategic selling to improve customer operations and strengthen long-term partnerships. A key focus will be supporting Clean-in-Place (CIP) programs across food, beverage, and dairy facilities, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and performance. Working closely with internal teams, you will develop innovative recommendations that deliver measurable value while increasing revenue and profitability. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded professional who enjoys solving technical challenges, developing customer relationships, and contributing to business growth. ### Accountabilities - Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key customer stakeholders, including senior executives, operational leaders, and purchasing decision-makers. - Manage an assigned portfolio of strategic accounts, focusing on customer satisfaction, retention, revenue growth, and long-term account value. - Identify, develop, and close new sales opportunities within existing accounts by understanding customer needs and recommending appropriate products and services. - Drive account expansion and profitability through strategic account planning, consultative selling, and tailored technical solutions. - Promote product and service awareness by communicating value propositions and demonstrating how solutions can improve operational performance. - Conduct regular business reviews and strategic meetings with customer leadership teams to assess priorities, identify challenges, and align solutions with business objectives. - Provide technical sales support and product recommendations, particularly for Clean-in-Place (CIP) programs within food, beverage, and dairy operations. - Evaluate customer processes, analyze operational data, identify improvement opportunities, and recommend solutions that enhance efficiency and product quality. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to coordinate technical support, implement customer solutions, and ensure a consistent customer experience. - Maintain pricing discipline, support margin improvement initiatives, and contribute to sales targets and gross profit objectives. ## Requirements - Experience in account management, technical sales, industrial sales, or a related customer-facing commercial role. - Solid understanding of Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems and processes within food, beverage, and dairy operations, including the ability to manage programs and identify process improvements. - A degree in business, marketing, chemistry, microbiology, engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered. - Proven ability to establish and develop lasting customer relationships and influence decision-makers across multiple organizational levels. - Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, recognize trends, evaluate opportunities, and translate insights into actionable business recommendations. - Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and consultative selling skills. - Technical aptitude and the ability to understand industrial products, treatment systems, and customer applications. - Strong commercial awareness, including the ability to manage account profitability, support pricing strategies, and identify revenue-growth opportunities. - A customer-focused, proactive approach with sound organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities effectively. - A clear driving record and the ability to travel as required to support customer relationships and on-site technical needs. ## Benefits - **Competitive annual salary:** Expected compensation between $80,730 and $118,404, depending on qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors. - **Performance-based compensation:** Eligibility for discretionary bonuses. - **Health and wellness coverage:** Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance. - **Retirement savings:** Access to a 401(k) plan. - **Paid time off:** 15 days of paid time off to support rest and work-life balance. - **Professional development:** Ongoing learning opportunities and resources to support career advancement. - **Career growth:** Opportunities to develop technical and commercial expertise while contributing to strategic customer partnerships.