Overview In this senior sales leadership role, you drive profitable growth across Eastern-region accounts and guide a team of account managers. You own growth strategy, planning, and commercial execution to meet AAK's objectives while developing strong, long-term customer partnerships. You will deepen relationships, identify opportunities, and lead cross-functional collaboration to convert opportunities into revenue. Expect travel 30-40% to advance growth initiatives and support the team. This position shapes how we pair customer needs with our plant-based oils to deliver value at scale.
Compensation / Benefits- comprehensive health insurance
- Health Savings Account with annual contribution
- 401(k) match
- Life and Disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Discounts on travel, parks, concerts, movies
Responsibilities- Develop and execute profitable growth strategies for assigned customers and manage pipeline to forecast revenue and margin
- Direct and coach a team of account managers responsible for regional and national portfolios
- Set growth targets, priorities, and individual goals; ensure forecast accuracy and robust customer plans
- Lead multi-year growth plans and identify new business opportunities through customer insights and market trends
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Customer Innovation, R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Customer Service to win opportunities
- Lead commercial negotiations and structure agreements delivering sustainable value for AAK and customers
- Monitor KPIs and performance, provide coaching, and address risks or gaps in growth
- Handle escalated customer issues and remove internal barriers impacting growth and satisfaction
Key requirements- Demonstrated track record in profitable growth with key customers through account planning and negotiations
- Experience leading a sales team and driving accountability for revenue and pipeline
- Strong understanding of customer needs, market dynamics, and translating insights into growth strategies
- BA/BS degree; Food Science, Business, or related discipline preferred
- 10+ years of progressive sales experience, preferably in food ingredients and/or fats and oils industry
- Excellent relationship-building, stakeholder alignment, and problem-solving skills
- Strong organizational, prioritization, forecasting, and commercial planning capabilities
- Excellent quantitative, forecasting, and business performance management skills
- Relationship-building
- Executive-level engagement
- Problem-solving
- Account planning
- Pipeline management
- Forecasting
