Key Account Manager

Summary: 

At Ready Foods, our mission is to make customers happy. We place high value on long-term partnerships. The Key Account Manager plays a crucial role in building the foundation for sustainable, profitable, mutually rewarding partnerships with food service brands/chains. This position requires strategic account management, sales expertise, and the ability to maintain strong relationships with key customers and distribution partners. 

The ideal candidate is highly motivated, a self-starter, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Objective: 

The primary objective of the Key Account Manager is to be the primary point of contact for key customers. The KAM will establish and maintain long-term relationships by fully understanding their requirements, defining success metrics, and promoting our company’s solutions to achieve mutual satisfaction. The goal is to contribute to sustained business growth and long-term success. 

Accountabilities: 

Develop Trust Relationships: 

• Build and nurture trust-based relationships with a portfolio of key customers to ensure they remain loyal, happy and growing. 
•  Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers, addressing their needs promptly and effectively. 
•  Foster a sense of partnership that transcends transactions.

• Identify potential risks or threats to key accounts, such as competitive pressures, market changes, or internal challenges. Develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies to minimize risks and protect business relationships.

Understand Customer Needs: 

• Acquire a thorough understanding of key customer needs, preferences, and requirements to achieve their goals. 
•  Continuously propose solutions that align with customer objectives and deliver mutual rewarding outcomes. 

Expand Existing Relationships: 

•  Proactively expand relationships with existing customers by identifying opportunities for cross-selling, and value-added services.

• Develop and implement strategic account plans tailored to each key account. Identify growth opportunities, set objectives, and create action plans to achieve mutual business success.

• Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of products and services. 
• Ensure relationship is solid across the entire account, including Supply, Culinary, R&D, FSQA, Sustainability, Marketing. 
•  Build relationship at all levels in the account – from Specialist to C-suite. 

Issue Resolution and Communication: 

• Act as the communication link between key customers and internal cross-functional teams. 
•  Resolve any issues, claims or problems faced by customers promptly to maintain trust and satisfaction.  

Reporting and Forecasting: 

• Prepare regular progress reports and forecasts for internal and external stakeholders using key account metrics. 
• Keep all relevant parties informed about account performance. 
• Manage customer portals for claims, pricing, specs. 
• Maintain all records of customer interaction and opportunities in CRM. 

Requirements and Skills: 

• Proven experience as a key account manager or a similar role in food/beverage manufacturing  
•  Sales experience with a focus on customer needs and solutions. 
• Understands importance of forecasting on service levels.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Excellent organizational abilities. 
•  Problem-solving and negotiation skills. 
• Proactive risk mitigation.
•  Not afraid of digital transformation. 
• Extensive use of CRM tool.
• Work great in cross-functional teams. 
• Enthusiastic Idea generator and initiative owner. 
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, sales, or a relevant field.