Key Account Manager - Spices

Position Summary The Key Account Manager is at the heart of ofi’s purpose to “Be the Change for Good Food and a Healthy Future.” The Key Account Manager will be a significant contributor to ofi’s growth strategy by establishing and executing business and sales strategies for specific ambition accounts that drive growth across the entire product portfolio. This role is responsible for driving business growth, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of internal cross‑functional and product‑platform teams to provide a broader range of product and ingredient solutions for customers that are unique and differentiated. This role will report to the Head of Sales for a specific product‑platform. The ideal candidate is business‑minded with curiosity to learn about new products and explore customer needs that contribute to long‑term, profitable growth. They have demonstrated the ability to lead contract negotiations and guide the sales process, collaborating with internal stakeholders on critical projects to optimize ofi’s product portfolio, innovation, customer service, and supply chain. A successful candidate will have exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills to align key stakeholder groups and build impactful partnerships that help us deliver value and build long‑lasting customer relationships. Location The location for this position is Chicago (strongly preferred) or remote in the following states: AK, AL, AZ, CA, GA, ID, IL, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, TN, TX, FL, MN, MT, WI, NE, PA, VA, OH. Position Responsibilities Evaluate industry, market, category, channel, and customer trends to understand and articulate market and customer opportunities. Develop and execute account strategies, plans, and forecasts for assigned accounts; incorporate business strategies that reflect the entire product portfolio. Explore customers’ needs and opportunities, encouraging experimentation with the entire portfolio and seizing opportunities that result in unique and differentiated solutions. Develop long‑term partnerships with targeted accounts that result in increased sales and margins, and value for the broader business portfolio. Manage a diverse set of customers which includes managing large, well‑established customers, while also having a hunter’s mentality for uncovering growth at existing and new accounts. Initiate and lead contract negotiations with assigned key accounts to grow sales volume and margins while expanding ingredient solutions and distribution. Work with cross‑functional and product‑platform teams to ensure alignment of sales strategy and product offerings with technical and operational capabilities. Guide the sales process, articulating a path forward for customers with support from internal stakeholders, considering internal capabilities, constraints, competitive circumstances, and strategic priorities. Work closely with logistics and support teams to ensure excellence in contract execution and working capital management. Engage internal cross‑functional and product‑platform teams to execute business plans, resolve issues, and deliver solutions that meet or exceed customer needs and drive profitable growth. Collaborate with Innovation and R&D on SIM projects and customer‑driven solutions and engage internal stakeholders to understand current capabilities required to deliver. Establish regular cadence of communications with internal stakeholder groups, reviewing progress and adjusting plans as needed. Balance key account responsibilities for ambition accounts with assigned product‑platform accounts. Perform other duties as assigned. Position Requirements Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred. Five (5) years of major account spice selling experience required. Candidates substituting experience in lieu of degree require ten (10) years prior experience in major account spice selling experience. Previous account management experience with headquarters of large CPG, foodservice or related industry. National account experience, private label sales or food CPG experience. Strategic thinking and business acumen: ability to develop and deliver a strategic account plan designed to achieve profitable growth in both business and sales objectives. Excellent analytical skills. Extensive spice ingredient product knowledge: ability to understand and translate ingredient portfolio features to targeted customer value propositions. Lead cross‑functional teams to deliver customer solutions addressing the needs of each customer. Effective negotiation and problem‑solving skills: ability to use appropriate strategies to address areas of concern, explore alternatives and reach mutually beneficial sales agreements that gain customer’s commitment to action. Impactful communicator: ability to convey information and ideas clearly and succinctly to individuals and groups at various levels, in a variety of situations; deliver high‑impact presentations suited to the needs of the audience. Building influential relationships: ability to build and foster influential customer and internal stakeholder relationships across boundaries (cultural, organizational, geographical, etc.) that help deliver value and customer commitments. Adaptable: maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes or shifts in direction; adjust effectively by exploring the benefits, trying new approaches and collaborating with others to make the change successful. Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of the time is required. The Chicago area is highly preferred. Compensation and Benefits The pay for this role in the state of Illinois ranges from $111,000 - $140,000 and is based on the position responsibilities and geographic location. Actual pay within this range may be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and/or other determining factors. Bonus: Eligible for a discretionary performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents. Benefits: Employees (and their eligible dependants) covered through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future. Well‑being: We offer events, resources and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being lifestyle for our employees and their families. Equal Opportunity Statement ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: [email protected] Company Culture At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. #J-18808-Ljbffr ofi North America (Olam Food Ingredients)