National Account Manager

Description Join a dynamic team at Chef Works and shape the future of professional uniform apparel! As a National Accounts Sales Manager, you'll have the opportunity to build strong relationships with top-tier corporate clients and drive significant sales growth. Your expertise will be instrumental in expanding our market share and ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction. If you are interested in helping companies put their best look forward, are eager to uncover opportunities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this is the perfect role for you! Our Hybrid Work Program: To create vibrancy and foster collaboration, while providing for hours spent working from home, we have implemented a hybrid work schedule. We work from the office in Poway on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and every other Wednesday. Fridays and the other Wednesday are spent working from home. Team members can always work more hours in the office, if they choose. Role Description The National Accounts Sales Manager is responsible for identifying, pursuing, closing, and managing corporate account activities within assigned customers. This role plays a critical part in expanding Chef Works' market share by developing strategic relationships, achieving sales growth, and ensuring exceptional service delivery. Key Responsibilities Business Planning, Pipeline Management, and Forecasting: Achieve or exceed agreed-upon profitability and sales growth targets for national accounts by developing, presenting and executing strategic plans. Actively seek out, identify and vet new opportunities by using data-driven insights, establishing relationships with potential clients and engaging with decision-makers to thoroughly understand their needs to craft tailored solutions that align with Chef Works' offerings. Maintain detailed records of customer interactions and sales activities, ensuring that all meetings, proposals, and follow-ups are documented and remain aligned with customer expectations and Chef Works’ standards. Ensure that plans are communicated effectively and tracked to meet current and future sales objectives. Ability to run reports, analyze data and provide accurate sales forecasts and insights. Contribute to the planning and execution of customer outreach, retention, and expansion strategies. Customer Relationship Management: Provide exceptional service to assigned customers through timely and professional communication via in-person meetings, email, phone, and video conferencing. Act as the primary point of contact for corporate accounts, ensuring timely responses to inquiries and proactive engagement to address potential issues or opportunities. Work collaboratively across departments, including marketing, product, and operations to deliver on-going comprehensive solutions to clients. Monitor account performance and provide regular updates to the customer and Chef Works’ senior management through reports and business reviews. Ensure all information gathered, organized and presented is accurate, comprehensive, and delivered in a timely manner, adhering to Chef Works’ standards. Product and Service Presentation: Tailor presentations to meet the specific needs and interests of each customer, highlighting how Chef Works' offerings can solve their unique challenges. Deliver compelling presentations and proposals to customers, showcasing Chef Works' product lines and services. Stay attuned to industry trends, market shifts, and customer requirements. Share relevant insights with internal teams to inform product development and marketing strategies. Collaborate with peers to adopt industry best practices and continuously improve account management strategies. Company Representation and Team Leadership: Represent Chef Works professionally in all interactions with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders. Uphold and model the company’s core values, fostering a positive company culture and demonstrating leadership in all activities. Work collaboratively with Business Support Partners, providing guidance to ensure that customer requirements are consistently met. Foster a collaborative team environment, encouraging open communication and sharing of best practices. Continuous Improvement: Actively seek feedback from customers and internal teams to continuously improve service delivery and account management practices. Participate in training and professional development opportunities to stay ahead of industry changes and maintain a high level of expertise. Travel: 25-30% to meet with customers, attend industry events, and conduct site visits as necessary. Dept. 09 - Buyers Edge Requirements Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, marketing, or a related field; or equivalent work experience. 5+ years of progressive national accounts sales and business development experience in the uniform, apparel, or related industry, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets. Previous supervisory experience preferred, with the ability to lead and mentor a team. A deep understanding of the uniform, apparel, or related industry, with a commitment to staying informed of market trends and best practices. Experience in navigating complex customer requirements and delivering tailored solutions that drive business success. Skills and Competencies: Confident and professional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to organize information as well as tasks and deliverables. Be proactive in managing expectations when there are multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel (advanced functions), PowerPoint, and contact management software (e.g., Salesforce). Experience in creating and delivering impactful presentations to business leaders and decision-makers. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with minimal direct supervision. Professionalism and Initiative: Uphold and model Chef Works' core values in all aspects of the role, ensuring alignment with the company's mission and culture. Demonstrated ability to act as a company ambassador, representing Chef Works in a professional and ethical manner. High level of initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving and relationship-building. Physical Requirements: Occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. (less than 5% of the time). Ability to perform desk work, including extended periods of computer use. Standing for extended periods at customer sites, airports, and trade shows (less than 10% of the time). Travel required, predominantly by airplane, accounting for 25-30% of the role.