Key Account Executive

Key Account Executive

Kalon Executive Search is partnering with a leading company in the nutraceutical and functional ingredient industry, is seeking a Key Account Executive with a strong track record of driving revenue growth and building lasting partnerships within the nutraceutical and functional ingredient industry. This individual brings expertise in selling clinically studied functional ingredients, with proven success in identifying new market opportunities, closing enterprise-level deals, and positioning innovative products to meet evolving consumer demands. This executive combines strategic vision with hands-on execution to deliver results.

**While based in the Chicagoland area or Midwest is preferred for regular office presence, remote candidates who are willing to travel frequently will be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the complete sales cycle, from prospecting to deal closure, within enterprise-level organizations, particularly those focused on nutraceuticals and functional ingredients.
• Develop and expand trusted relationships with senior leaders across innovation, R&D, marketing, and corporate strategy functions.
• Build strong relationships with decision-makers and stakeholders across multiple levels of customer organizations.
• Communicate the impact of our client's clinically studied functional ingredients.
• Design tailored, consultative solutions that align with each client's growth initiatives and innovation roadmaps.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across the food, beverage, nutraceutical, functional ingredient, and related markets.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts through additional products, applications, and solutions.
• Collaborate closely with internal sales, business development, technical, operations, and customer service teams to shape compelling proposals, refine messaging, and advance customer opportunities.
• Lead and coordinate customer projects from initial opportunity through commercialization.
• Share market insights and client feedback to continuously improve offerings and inform go-to-market strategies.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitive dynamics, customer needs, and industry opportunities.
• Successfully navigate lengthy, complex sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders and decision-making layers.
• Conduct customer meetings, presentations, and business reviews through phone, email, video, and in-person meetings.
• Represent the company at industry conferences and events to foster new business opportunities.
• Establish account-specific goals and execute strategies to achieve revenue and growth objectives.
• Maintain a disciplined sales pipeline with accurate forecasting and strong CRM practices.
• Travel approximately 50% of the time to meet with customers and for office presence.

Qualifications:

• Approximately 5 years of direct sales experience in the nutraceutical, functional ingredient, or related health and wellness industries. Candidates with 3 years of experience will be considered if they possess strong industry knowledge, network, and experience to hit the ground running.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Strong experience selling clinically studied functional ingredients
• Demonstrated success securing deals with diverse stakeholder groups, particularly within big multinationals and other large brands.
• Proven experience managing complex, consultative sales cycles from prospecting through commercialization.
• Skilled in consultative, solution-oriented selling within fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to link client priorities to product strengths.
• Ability to understand the clinical science of the industry.
• Strong industry knowledge and an established network.
• Proactive, accountable self-starter with a passion for health innovation and building long-term client value.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.

Compensation: $130,000- $150,000 base salary plus uncapped commission and benefits. Total compensation target $175K+


If this sounds like the position you have been waiting for, please apply using the online application or the link below. All inquiries are strictly confidential. Our focus is to assist you in making your best next career move, and we will not use your information for any other purpose.

Kalon Search is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.