Account Executive - Pittsburgh - General Mills

OVERVIEW 

As an Account Executive (AE), you will be responsible for profitable sales growth through the introduction and execution of strategic sales plans and trade management for key distributor and operator accounts within your geographically assigned territory.

AEs are consistently challenged to grow relationships and deliver results. Every day will uncover a new opportunity to sell, and you’ll partner with your teammates to work together, to win and celebrate success.

As an AE on the Foodservice Ingredients (FSI) team, you will need to think and act strategically while using analytic skills to create sales solutions that drive volume and profit to grow General Mills’ bakery ingredients, flour business, and our Frozen Baked Goods in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Upstate New York with your assigned distributors and linked operators.  This role is based out of Pittsburgh PA.  You’ll be an entrepreneur with the ability to interact with business owners and high-level executives selling market leading brands that are essential to the baking, pizza and commercial restaurant industry.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Analyze & Build Strategies

• Build a deep understanding of your customers and business to analyze and identify key opportunities consistent with yours and the channel’s business plan
• Provide credible forecasts based on analysis, market conditions and customer insights
• Build expertise as a credible flour pricing/wheat market customer resource
• Identify opportunities to drive cost savings and simplification that creates efficiencies for GMI and your assigned accounts throughout the full sales cycle

Plan

• Develop strategic plans to build balanced, sustainable, and growing business with your FSI Distributors and Key Operators
• Work with your FSI, ISF/wholesale, convenience, and foodservice peers to drive differentiated value in the market

Sales Execution Responsibilities

• Execute division level and local programs as outlined by National Account Executives
• Develop and implement merchandising and marketing programs specific to the accounts within your territory
• Successfully launch new products through the implementation of nationally-focused promotions and programs
• Develop creative strategies to influence Distributor Sales Reps to sell General Mills products
• Identify and execute against profitable key operator product opportunities
• Train Distributor Sales Reps on how to sell flour
• Lead your flour partner team planning and execution of strategic plans against foodservice broadliner flour and big bag mix

Budget Management Responsibilities

• Financial management and responsibility for funds as outlined for T&E, tactical and distributor budgets.
• Coordination and communication of information that will assist the PSM, Zone Manager, Finance and Trade team in managing the broader trade budget including approvals, business reviews, and regular updates
• Responsible for managing distributor marketing funds and negotiating marketing agreements with distributors
• Leverage trade funds to drive performance-based ROI and customer loyalty

Other Responsibilities

• Diligent accountability for reporting material volume changes that will impact production, warehouse inventory levels, financials and volume outlook
• Coordinate food shows, vendor fairs, sales meetings and DSR and operator product trainings
• Provide accurate and timely Demand and forecasts

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ Years of Industry Experience in foodservice sales
• Comfortable interacting with all levels of leadership, including Senior Leadership
• Trade management
• Forecasting and business analytics skill set
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree
• Previous distributor management experience
• Operator management experience
• Marketing program negotiation experience
• Project leadership
• Bakery/ingredients experience

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for a U.S. work visa.
• International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.