Key Account / National Account Manager

Key Account / National Account Manager Location: Louisville, KY (Remote Considered) Travel: 30–50% Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Commission + Comprehensive Benefits About the Opportunity Our Client is seeking a strategic, customer-focused Key Account / National Account Manager to lead and grow relationships with national restaurant chains, retail brands, foodservice operators, and private label customers. This role is responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding existing business, identifying new opportunities, and serving as the primary commercial contact for key accounts. Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams, you'll help bring innovative sauces, condiments, and portion-controlled food products from concept to commercialization while ensuring exceptional customer service and long-term profitability. Key Responsibilities Account Management & Business Development

• Manage and grow a portfolio of national and strategic customer accounts.
• Develop and execute annual business plans to achieve sales and profitability goals.
• Build strong relationships with purchasing, operations, R&D, and executive-level customer contacts.
• Identify opportunities for new business, product line extensions, and expanded distribution.
• Generate new revenue through private label, foodservice, retail, and industrial customers.

Product Development & Commercialization

• Partner with customers on new product development and innovation initiatives.
• Coordinate new product launches from concept through commercial production.
• Work with internal teams to ensure projects remain on schedule and meet customer expectations.
• Support cost optimization initiatives while maintaining product quality and customer requirements.

Pricing & Contract Management

• Collaborate with executive leadership on pricing strategies and contract negotiations.
• Manage customer quotations, bids, RFPs, and costing requests.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to maximize profitability while maintaining competitive pricing.
• Monitor margins and recommend pricing adjustments as market conditions change.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between customers and internal departments including:
• Operations
• Supply Chain
• Quality Assurance
• Research & Development
• Customer Service
• Coordinate production planning and capacity requirements for key customers.
• Ensure successful execution of customer programs and service commitments.

Forecasting & Customer Support

• Develop customer forecasts and collaborate on demand planning.
• Monitor service levels, fill rates, and on-time delivery performance.
• Resolve customer concerns related to quality, production, or delivery.
• Conduct regular business reviews to strengthen partnerships and identify future growth opportunities.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, sales reports, and account documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Food Science, Marketing, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• 7+ years of National Account or Key Account Management experience.
• Experience within food manufacturing, private label, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or foodservice industries.
• Proven success managing large retail, restaurant, or national chain accounts.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, product commercialization, and pricing strategies.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Financial acumen with experience managing margins, pricing, and profitability.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Proficiency with CRM software, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Experience

• Private Label Manufacturing
• Sauces, Dressings, Condiments, or Portion-Control Products
• Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)
• Casual Dining Chains
• Retail Grocery Accounts
• Foodservice Distribution
• Contract Manufacturing

Why Join Our Client? Our Client is a growing, privately held food manufacturer committed to innovation, quality, and exceptional customer partnerships. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact by working directly with nationally recognized customers while helping develop and launch new products in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment. What We Offer

• Competitive base salary plus commission
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Opportunity to work with national brands
• High visibility with executive leadership
• Career growth within a rapidly expanding food manufacturing company

Recruiter Notes Ideal Backgrounds

• National Account Manager
• Key Account Manager
• Strategic Account Manager
• Business Development Manager
• Foodservice Sales Manager
• Private Label Sales Manager
• CPG Sales Manager

Target Industries

• Food Manufacturing
• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
• Private Label Manufacturing
• Sauces & Condiments
• Ingredients
• Bakery
• Beverage
• Dairy
• Frozen Foods
• Meat Processing
• Foodservice Manufacturing