National Account Manager
The National Account Manager is a high-visibility, high-impact role reporting to the Sr. Director of Sales. This position leads the strategic direction, execution, and growth of Crystal Farms' largest national customers, Walmart and Kroger, while driving expansion into new channels through New Business Development.
This leader will combine analytical rigor, customer relationships, and entrepreneurial drive to unlock growth. They will leverage syndicated data, customer insights, and cross-functional collaboration to shape strategy, influence decision-making, and deliver results.
We are looking for a strategic, ambitious, and highly motivated commercial leader - someone who challenges the status quo, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and builds strong partnerships internally and externally to achieve ambitious goals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop strong strategic collaborative business plans and execute distribution, shelving, merchandising, and pricing initiatives in partnership with key national accounts, inclusive of managing broker partnerships and regional accounts
- Identify, pursue, and secure new growth opportunities across emerging channels, distributors, and customers
- Serve as the primary point of contact for Lipari, manage and expand the relationship, optimizing current business and building incremental growth opportunities
- Translate Nielsen and customer data into actionable insights, compelling selling stories, and strategic recommendations
- Implement customer level plans and sales strategies to build the Crystal Farms brands within assigned accounts utilizing trade tools including Blue Planner
- Develop promotional plans and tactics; responsible for planning and managing promotional spending and calendar
- Conduct monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews focused on performance, innovation, and future opportunities
- Develop and build strong relationships with Crystal Farms leadership, Internal Category, Marketing, and Finance teams
- Effectively collaborate with the Crystal Farms retail teams to drive in-store execution
- Utilize fact-based selling solutions and strong relationship skills while maintaining a hunter mentality for growth
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers at accounts
- Bring energy, urgency, and a hunter mentality to accelerate growth and open new doors
- Participate in company initiatives and cross-functional projects to support broader organizational goals
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience
- 7+ years managing national accounts and regional accounts
- CPG account management experience with Walmart, Kroger, or other major retailers
- Proven success in new business development or channel expansion
- Analytical mindset with proficiency in syndicated data tools including IRI, Nielsen, Retail Link, 84.51, and Scintilla
- Broker management experience
- Must reside in Twin Cities, MN or Bentonville, AR
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
- Confident presenting to senior executives and customer leadership
- Highly motivated, self-directed, and comfortable in a fast-moving environment
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Ability to travel up to 40%