Account Executive (Eastern North Carolina)

About the position

The position involves developing and maintaining existing accounts through systematic personal visits and follow-ups, with a strong focus on achieving annual sales goals. The role requires significant field time, managing a sales team, and ensuring customer satisfaction while maximizing profit and compliance with contracts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain existing accounts through personal visits and follow-up on a systematic basis.
• Achieve annual sales plan through growth and penetration of existing accounts.
• Present new ideas and products from primary vendors and exclusive brand products to secure account penetration and loyalty.
• Manage product mix to maximize profit goals and contract compliance.
• Communicate with customers regarding performance, new products, programs, and market trends through informal and formal reviews.
• Oversee results of sales team actions relative to assigned accounts.
• Lead sales team to ensure optimum service to accounts and coordinate with operational and purchasing functions as needed.
• Maximize account executive time spent with customers.
• Meet or exceed accounts receivable currency targets, coordinating with central AR as needed.
• Review all accounts for program compliance, develop unique sales approaches, identify needs, and expand sales.
• Maintain a profile on all accounts including order guides, statements, and overall reporting.
• Verify pricing information for correctness.
• Attend sales meetings, training sessions, food shows, and conferences as necessary.
• Set up and support rollout of new accounts as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing preferred.
• A minimum of three years of sales or distribution experience required, preferably in the foodservice industry.
• Experience in restaurant operations is desirable.
• Experience using quantitative & qualitative research data is helpful.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service and presentation abilities.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and negotiation skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel required.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Pre-tax spending accounts
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Short term and long term disability
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Life insurance