Key Account Manager

If you are a true hunter and a hands-on person that would enjoy working in a fun and dynamic environment this is an opportunity you do not want to miss!!

Our client Zentis, Europe’s frontrunner in fruit processing and a top-tier brand manufacturer of jams, sweets, and custard-based desserts, has engaged us exclusively seeking a visionary Key Account Manager to grow their business in the Dairy Industry.

About Our Client Zentis:

Zentis reigns supreme as Europe’s leading fruit processing company, with a rich legacy of crafting the most delectable jams, sweets, and custard-based desserts. In North America, Zentis operates from the bustling hubs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Plymouth, Indiana, serving a diverse range of customers in the yogurt, ice cream, bakery, coffee, and food service industries. Their global headquarters is in Aachen, Germany, alongside R&D teams in Poland and Hungary, form the backbone of our innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Role Overview:

The Key Account Manager is responsible for a portfolio of current customer accounts, but mostly hunting for new clients. They will work to deliver positive business results with relation to their accounts, as well as develop new business. Positive business results include increasing sales, profitability, and business execution. The Key Account Manager will support Zentis’ s overall business strategy, as well as developing sales strategies for individual accounts and/or business lines. The ideal candidate will be able to act as both a team player and as leader, have strong analytical skills, be a self-starter, and be accustomed to executing for results. The Sales & Business Development Manager will be able to manage various responsibilities/projects and know how to prioritize effectively. They will act as a key influencer across the organization to drive business excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver business results: Develop and execute strategy to achieve positive business results such as additional profit, sales volume, and/or forecast accuracy.
• Manage customer relationships: Develop strong relationships with customers, understand customer needs, potential opportunities, or threats to business. Position is fully responsible for all aspects of customer relationship (sales/ service/ quality/ R&D/ financials/ forecasts/ communication/ etc.). Position will manage regular customer events such as RFPs/Pricing Negotiations, Business Development. – Cross Functional support/expertise is provided.
• Business Growth: Grow business with existing customers. Identify, evaluate, and secure new business at existing customers (grow our share of the customers business). Expand business: Identify, evaluate, and secure business at NEW customers that can improve upon organizations margins or utilize open capacity (depending upon current company situation). Identify opportunities to expand to new markets, or innovations.
• Support business excellence: Support internal team in all aspects of customer support. Provide accurate forecasts, identify pain points, manage new business projects, and work with team to overcome obstacles to business growth and success.
• 30% to 50% travel to visit existing clients and develop new business.
• Once a week going to Plymouth, IN to the facility
• Stay up to date with industry trends: Collect and interpret market data to be able to provide value added services to our customers that extend from ingredients, consumer behavior, to packaging. Use information to drive and influence positive business decisions for the company.

Skills & Competencies: Required:

• Initiative – does more than what is required or expected……proactive rather than reactive.
• Accountability (self & others)
• Project Management Skills
• P&L Management/Financial Literacy/Pricing Experience
• Conducts self in professional manner.
• In depth problem solver, not just surface level.
• Computer skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word. SAP and PowerBI a plus)
• Business building (fact based, as well as relationship selling)
• Ability to learn software applications (ex. SAP/Syndicated data/Business Warehouse)
• Strong communicator & detail oriented
• Ability to work cross functionally to achieve desired results – delegation skills and collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel to meet w/Customers & Conferences (occasional weekend travel required)