Sr Account Manager, Target (JLB) - Advantage Solutions

The Team:

The JLB Sales team operates as an extension of our client’s teams, driving successful business partnerships, strategies and executions between Target and our clients. Our approach to Account Management is to build strong relationships and bring actionable recommendations that lead to growth.

The Role:

We are seeking a talented individual to join our organization as part of our Sales Team. As an Senior Account Manager, you are responsible for developing and executing best-in-class services to meet and exceed our client partners growth and profitability goals.

What You’ll Do:

• Build strong relationships with both our clients’ team and Target’s merchandising teams
• Be an advocate on behalf of your clients, helping them solve problems and understand the needs of Target, and be successful in their business
• Support Sales Leads & Directors to convert new business and deliver flawless execution of promotions and in-line business
• Conduct Deep Dive into Sales Performance and provide insights and recommendations to drive the business
• Conduct on-going analysis of your client’s omni-channel assortment performance, and identify issues and root-causes, ultimately solving vendor performance issues or problems
• Oversee and manage marketing with our clients and Target’s Roundel team. Measure and report on KPIs.
• Oversee Demand Planning/Forecasting, including the overall forecasting and chase/cancel process.
• Assist total Sales Team in executing operational management of business management, meeting preparation (including line reviews and “top-to-tops”)
• Submit, forecast, track and report on incremental business opportunities (new items, endcaps, circulars, TPCs, and markdowns)
• Demonstrate an ability to collaborate effectively across multiple divisions at JLB to meet business needs
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes and drive efficiencies and work cross-functionally to implement guidance and training to improve them

 What You’ll Bring:

• 5+ years of Account Management Experience
• 5+ years of item level forecasting Experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint
• 3+ years of previous experience working with Target’s corporate offices
• Self-starter
• Customer service oriented
• Ability to communicate through story-telling
• Problem solving and navigating ambiguous situations

 About JLB:

jlb is an award-winning, retail consulting firm that is passionate about helping brands succeed at Target, and Target win in the marketplace.  Over the past 35+ years, we’ve helped launch and grow some of the most innovative brands at Target, including Method, Harry’s and Olly, and hundreds more like them.   

We offer Sales and Strategy, Business Insights, Consumer Research, Category Management, Digital Services, Trend, Creative, and Retail Service, delivering a customized approach based on the unique needs of each client.  Our collaborative team of 120+ passionate employees come from a variety of backgrounds including emerging brands, large CPGs, and mass and specialty retailers. 

We work hard and we play hard.  Our office is a lively environment that was built for collaboration.  Sound fun? It is! Come join us!

Seniority Level: Mid to Senior-Level

Industry: Retail & Sales

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Position Summary

The Sr Manager Business Development’s primary function will be to support the Business Development team on the writing, updating, and production of the Request for Proposal response, and interview presentation materials for the Sales Division’s business-development initiatives. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

RFP Development and Support

• Support the Business Development VP and Senior Manager, and cross-functional partners developing client research against Sales Division’s Business-Development initiatives utilizing Company's category management resources to pull preliminary assessment data (growth, conflicts, etc.) for new business targets
• Develop RFP  and “Campaign” materials including:

o RFP response and cover letter
o RFP pricing proposal
o RFP interview meeting teaser
o RFP interview presentation
o Creative client or customer-based theme
o RFP interview creative follow up and thank you letter
o Exploratory meeting presentation development
o Exploratory meeting creative follow up

• Pursue and manage sales business opportunities under $1M

o Proactively identify emerging and small tier clients to fill current portfolio gaps
o Assess and pursue potential leads from corporate website and phone inquiries, owning the client relationship including the client interview, follow ups, and transition
o Create and present customized Company capabilities presentations to potential clients

• Lead transition execution process by coordinating with CTL and divisional owners, owning weekly client touchpoint calls, and managing the overall transition timeline for newly awarded business
• Work extensively with various client and customer teams to develop presentation materials for interviews, white space opportunities, and corporate requests
• Support Business Development EVP, VPs, and Director with ad hoc projects and corporate requests
• Work with President of Sales and EVP of Business Development to prepare quarterly board updates for the Sales division and bi-weekly New Business Performance reports
• Manage CRM system for the entire sales organization, including maintaining the monthly Business Development department pipeline

o Create standard as well as ad-hoc CRM reports for business leaders (Sales, Finance, Marketing, etc.)

• Develop CRM enhancements to improve/streamline current business processes across the sales division

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports

Indirect Reports
- This position does not have guidance or mentoring responsibilities for indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements
- Travel and Driving are not essential duties or functions of this job 

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Required):  Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience       

Field of Study/Area of Experience:  Sales and marketing field and/or in office management

- 5+ years of experience in

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Analytical and research Skills
• Flexible and adaptable, able to change and alter according to changes in projects or business environment
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Strong prioritization skills
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service orientation

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Sedentary Requirements
Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job.  Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law.  The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes.  Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.