Account Specialist - Local Contract

Account Specialist Local Contract Department

The Account Specialist Local Contract Department is responsible for supporting the execution, coordination, and day-to-day management of assigned Local Contract accounts. This role partners closely with Account Executives and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless service delivery, contract compliance, and operational excellence across all customer locations.

The Account Specialist serves as a key internal and external liaison, ensuring customer needs are communicated, executed, and maintained at a high levelcontributing to customer satisfaction, retention, and overall account performance. This role plays a critical part in delivering a consistent, high-quality customer experience while supporting the growth and profitability of the Local Contract portfolio.

Benefits for Harbor Team Members include paid vacation, sick, personal and holidays, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with a generous employer match and Employee Assistance Program

The pay range is between $26.00/hour and $ 31.00/hour

Responsibilities

Account Support & Execution

Support Account Executives in managing assigned Local Contract customers and initiatives

Act as a primary point of contact for day-to-day account needs, requests, and issue resolution

Supports the Account Executive in onboarding activities and ensures Harbor underpromises and overdelivers on our commitments to our new customers.

Maintain consistent communication with customers to ensure expectations are met and exceeded

Operational Coordination

Serve as the liaison between customers and internal Harbor teams (Procurement, Category Management, Finance, QIA, Transportation, and Warehouse)

Coordinate and communicate customer-specific requirements, programs, and service expectations

Monitor order flow, service levels, and delivery performance to ensure operational excellence

Proactively identify and communicate service issues with the Account Executive and be part of the solution.

Contract & Pricing Management

Support in the maintenance of customer pricing, contract terms, and agreement details within internal systems

Ensure contract compliance across all locations and support initiatives to increase participation

Assist in managing bids, pricing updates, and contract renewals

Monitor margin, rebates, and program performance to support overall account profitability.

Reporting & Analytics

Create, maintain, and distribute customer reporting (sales, margin, compliance, service metrics)

Support Account Executive in identifying trends, opportunities, and risks within accounts

Support Account Executives with preparation for business reviews and customer presentations

Track key metrics and ensure alignment with department and company objectives

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with internal teams to ensure alignment on customer expectations and execution

Support communication and training of internal teams on customer-specific protocols

Assist in managing special projects, LTOs, and initiatives across assigned accounts

Contribute to continuous improvement efforts focused on efficiency, automation, and service levels

Customer Experience & Relationship Support

Build strong working relationships with key customer contacts at the operational level

Provide responsive, proactive service to enhance customer satisfaction and retention

Support the Account Executive in delivering value-added solutions and insights to customers

Represent Harbor's service-first culture in all customer interactions

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

High school diploma required; associate or bachelor's degree preferred

2+ years of experience in foodservice distribution, account coordination, customer service, or related role

Experience supporting multi-unit or contract-managed accounts preferred

Core Competencies

Strong organizational and time management skills

Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities

Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in execution

Problem-solving mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities

Financial and operational awareness (pricing, margin, contract structure)

Technical & Other Requirements

Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Teams) and CRM systems

Ability to analyze data and produce actionable insights

Strong understanding of foodservice operations and distribution processes preferred

Key Success Metrics

Customer satisfaction and retention within assigned accounts

Accuracy and timeliness of account execution (pricing, contracts, reporting)

Service level performance and issue resolution effectiveness

Contract compliance and participation levels

Internal partner feedback and cross-functional execution

Position Impact

This role is critical to the success of the Local Contract Department by ensuring that account execution is consistent, detailed, and customer-focused. The Account Specialist enables Account Executives to operate at a higher strategic level by managing the operational and coordination aspects of the business. By delivering exceptional support, maintaining strong internal alignment, and driving execution excellence, the Account Specialist helps strengthen customer partnerships and supports Harbor Foodservice's continued growth as a trusted, solutions-based distributor.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer M/F/Vets/Disabled