National Accounts Manager - Lumber Sales

Lumber Sales Manager

Alta Forest Products, in collaboration with Itochu Building Products, proudly stands as the world's largest producer of wood fence boards. Our specialization lies in Western Red Cedar fence pickets and other premium products from the forests of the Pacific and Inland Northwest. In addition to manufacturing fence boards, timbers and dimensional lumber, Alta's advanced sawmills operate with zero wood waste, efficiently producing valuable by-products such as wood chips, sawdust, mulch, and biofuel.

Headquartered in Chehalis, Washington, Alta operates sawmills, reload facilities, and log yards in various Northwest rural communities.

As a Lumber Sales Manager, you will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of key accounts within Alta's distribution network. This role is highly integrated with operations and requires a strong understanding of product mix, supply dynamics, and market conditions.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in the North American lumber industry, with experience in sawmill operations, lumber manufacturing, wholesale distribution, or building products. This individual will possess a deep understanding of lumber market fundamentals and a proven track record selling timbers, dimension lumber and related wood products through both distribution networks and direct/open-market channels. Success in this role requires the ability to connect market demand with manufacturing capabilities while developing long-term strategic relationships across the lumber supply chain.

You will own the account relationship end-to-end, aligning customer demand with mill production, managing order flow, and ensuring consistent execution. Success in this role requires sound commercial judgment, the ability to navigate market volatility, and a proactive approach to aligning internal resources with customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop strategic national account relationships within the distribution channel.
• Align customer demand with production capacity, inventory positions, and logistics constraints.
• Oversee order flow, forecasting, and on-time delivery performance.
• Identify opportunities to optimize product mix, pricing, and margin across accounts.
• Collaborate closely with operations, and logistics to ensure execution against commitments.
• Lead account planning and internal alignment discussions.
• Resolve issues related to supply, quality, and delivery with urgency and professionalism.
• Monitor market conditions, competitive positioning, and customer trends.
• Drive continuous improvement in service levels and account performance.
• Develop and expand relationships with lumber distributors, buying groups, pro dealers, and strategic wood-products customers.
• Evaluate lumber market trends, species demand, pricing movements, and competitive activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Support the development and execution of sales strategies for wood timbers, dimension lumber, products, and other value-added wood products.
• Other duties as assigned.

What Makes You a Strong Fit

• Direct experience in the U.S. lumber and wood products industry, including sawmill operations, lumber manufacturing, wholesale distribution, or building products.
• Strong understanding of lumber market dynamics, species, grades, pricing mechanisms, and supply chain fundamentals.
• Experience selling wood timbers, dimension lumber and other wood products through both distribution partners and direct/open-market channels.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with distributors, buying groups, retailers, and independent lumber dealers.
• Strong understanding of pricing, margins, and market-driven decision-making.
• Ability to operate effectively in a supply-constrained, production-driven environment.
• High level of accountability with a focus on execution and results.
• Skilled at building long-term, trust-based relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Knowledge of North American lumber market trends, competitive landscape, and channel strategies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of sales, trading, account management, or business development experience within the North American lumber and wood products industry strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success selling dimension lumber, boards, timbers, fencing products, or other wood products through both distribution networks and direct/open-market channels.
• Experience working with or within sawmill operations, lumber manufacturing facilities, remanufacturing operations, or wholesale distribution organizations.
• Strong understanding of lumber grades, species, manufacturing processes, inventory management, and market pricing.
• Proven success managing large or national accounts while driving profitable sales growth and margin performance.
• Established relationships within the lumber, building products, or industrial wood products sectors are highly desirable.
• Ability to travel up to 30%, including customer visits and industry events.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and business systems.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members is a plus.

Work Environment

This role operates across offices, manufacturing facilities, and customer locations. Exposure to industrial environments, including machinery, noise, airborne particulates, and outdoor conditions, should be expected.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile.
• The employee will need to lift or carry 25 pounds or more and may at times be required to lift/move up to 50 pounds.
• This position requires standing, sitting, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping for extended lengths of time.

Position Type / Travel / Schedule

• Exempt position (FLSA)
• 40+ hours per week as business demands require
• Travel up to 50%

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting Pay Range $95,500 $155,250 annually (DOE)
• Semi-Annual Bonus Program
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Savings Plan w/ 4.5% company match that is immediately vested.
• Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave)
• Employee Referral Program
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Additional voluntary benefits

Why Alta?

Small company feel, big opportunity. Alta is committed to investing in its people and its mills, striving to lead the industry in both product quality and employee experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Alta Forest Products is an equal-opportunity employer. It considers all applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, disability, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.