We are seeking an energetic and results-driven Account Manager - Grocery & Distribution to develop and manage a sales territory by building strong relationships with existing customers and attracting new business. In this role, you will serve as a trusted representative of Valley Cooperative Association (VCA), providing exceptional service, product expertise, and tailored solutions while aligning with company values and policies. You will leverage your interpersonal, consultative selling, and relationship-building skills to support customers, identify opportunities, drive sales and margin growth, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Job Functions:

Serve as a VCA product expert by providing customers with support, guidance, insights, actionable sales plans, and sourcing strategies. Develop and implement a sales strategy that meets or exceeds Business Unit sales and margin goals. Manage and assess the sales funnel to identify opportunities, present accurate quotes, forecast results, and support consistent sales achievement. Identify potential customers and continuously refine and expand target customer lists to maximize sales opportunities and market growth. Communicate the value and benefits of Valley Cooperative Association to educate and engage customers, build trust, strengthen relationships, and increase loyalty. Establish and maintain relationships with targeted and assigned customers through sales calls, events, prospecting, site visits, training sessions, and other customer engagement activities. Understand and promote the value and benefits of VCA membership and patronage to support membership growth and customer loyalty. Take proactive measures to achieve sales metrics, drive revenue growth, and expand VCA's presence within the assigned market. Develop and maintain a proactive, priority-driven calendar that aligns customer interactions with customer needs, company objectives, and sales goals. Provide timely updates regarding marketplace trends, product developments, and industry changes to help member-partners remain competitive. Communicate with current and prospective customers to promote VCA products and services, provide solutions, and oversee sales activities within the Business Unit. Identify and forecast new opportunities that anticipate customer needs and support planning, positioning, and growth strategies. Create and present customer quotes that clearly outline pricing and available options, enabling customers to make informed purchasing decisions. Maintain clean, organized, and accurate CRM records for all leads and customers, including daily and weekly updates. Utilize Valley business systems and CRM tools to document sales activities, maintain customer information, generate reports, and support effective follow-up. Coordinate sales efforts with internal stakeholders, including Sales Support, Procurement, Marketing, Accounting, Transportation, Warehouse, and IT, to maximize efficiency and benefits for VCA members. Maintain accurate receipts and documentation for job-related expenses and submit them to Accounting for reimbursement and financial reporting. Represent yourself and Valley consistently by adhering to The Valley Way, building trust and credibility, fostering positive relationships, and enhancing the company's reputation. Collaborate with internal departments to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and shorten the sales funnel for more effective sales outcomes. Actively participate in VCA training sessions to remain current on company guidelines, products, systems, and protocols. Participate in trade shows, industry events, customer meetings, prospecting activities, product sampling, and other business-development opportunities.

Qualifications & Skills:

Bachelor's degree with a Business or Marketing emphasis preferred, or equivalent work experience. Proven experience in consultative account management and sales. Strong understanding of the sales process with a customer-first approach. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build rapport with customers and suppliers. Ability to resolve conflicts, handle objections, and develop long-term customer relationships. Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail. Demonstrated written, verbal, presentation, and video communication skills. Ability to work effectively in both directed and independent work environments. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Proficiency with Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Disciplined use of CRM systems to significantly enhance revenue-generating efficiency. Ability to travel up to 20% overnight, with travel needs varying based on business requirements. Valid driver's license required.

Physical & Mental Requirements:

This position is primarily remote office-based with regular customer and business-development activities. The role requires frequent driving, standing, and walking, with occasional bending, reaching, twisting, and lifting or carrying items weighing up to 35 pounds. Travel will vary based on business needs and will primarily consist of day trips, with limited travel to events. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Schedule & Travel:

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST 40 hours per week Less than 30% travel, with limited travel to events

About Us:

If you're passionate about sales, customer relationships, and business development, and want to grow in a supportive, dynamic environment, Valley Cooperative Association offers an excellent opportunity for professional development. Valley Cooperative Association (VCA), based in Greenville, WI, serves retail and wholesale bakers throughout the Western Great Lakes. Our members and customers represent a broad range of bakery and food service companies. We offer a complete selection of high-quality CPG, Frozen Dough, Ingredients, and Baking Supplies through an extensive purchasing system, climate-controlled warehousing, and a responsive distribution network. From the beginning, we've wanted Valley Cooperative Association to be different from other companies- different in how we treat our customers, different in how we work with each other, and different in the results we achieve. These differences are best captured in the 26 "Fundamentals" that form the foundation of our unique culture. We call it The Valley Way.

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Have you ever been convicted of a crime? (Please note that a conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from employment. It will be considered only as it may relate to the job you are seeking)

Experience:

Outside Sales:

1 year (Required)

Work Location:

In person