Retail Accounts Manager, Midwest Region

Collinwood is assisting our client, a well-known and growing baked goods manufacturer, in its efforts to hire a Regional Accounts Manager for the Midwest Region. In this role, you will be responsible for driving growth, developing strategic partnerships, and overseeing the management of key retail accounts. This position requires a proactive leader who can build strong relationships with top-tier retail customers, coordinate complex account activities, and ensure that all business objectives are met effectively across multiple regions. The role demands a blend of strategic thinking, relationship-building, and operational execution to meet both the company's and the customer's goals.

(Please note that while this position is primarily remote, we do want someone who resides in one of the following markets: Chicago or Minneapolis. Other markets with easy access to a major airport may be considered.)

What you will do:

Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned retail accounts, ensuring consistent and high-quality service that meets customer expectations.

Profitably grow the business and grow our footprint with assigned customers

Build and nurture strong, long-term relationships with key stakeholders, decision-makers, and influencers within the account at both the national and regional levels.

Address account concerns and resolve issues efficiently to maintain customer satisfaction and strengthen partnerships.

Identify and recommend strategic opportunities for business growth and expansion based on a thorough understanding of the customer's business goals, market conditions, and industry trends.

Provide national accounts with category-specific insights, data analysis, and comprehensive performance reports, ensuring alignment with their strategic objectives.

Lead and participate in high-level client meetings, national trade shows, and industry conferences to drive business development and represent the company on a national scale.

Coordinate internal resources across multiple departments and regions to ensure alignment and execution of account initiatives, including product development, marketing, and operations.

Serve as the internal advocate for national accounts, communicating key initiatives, feedback, and results to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Assist in the development of national pricing strategies, product assortments, and promotional programs tailored to the needs of the account and the broader retail market.

Collaborate with the internal marketing and product teams to plan and execute national product launches and promotional campaigns.

Conduct detailed business reviews, delivering data-driven insights and actionable recommendations to account stakeholders.

Oversee the introduction of new products, ensuring a smooth rollout across all regions and channels, while aligning with the customer's objectives and timelines.

Develop marketing materials, sales presentations, and reports to support national account strategies and customer engagement efforts.

Drive the planning and execution of national marketing campaigns, promotions, and advertising efforts in collaboration with the internal marketing team.

Stay informed on national retail trends, competitive activities, and customer needs, continuously adapting strategies to maximize account performance. What we need from you:

3+ years of experience in national sales, marketing, or account management.

Experience managing large national/regional retail and/or grocery client accounts

Experience with item data management (working with varied data sources, including Circana, Nielsen, 84.51, etc).

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).

Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple national projects and initiatives concurrently, even under tight deadlines.

Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to senior-level audiences.

Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, generate insights, and make strategic recommendations based on performance metrics.

Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional team, managing relationships at all levels.

Adaptable to changing market dynamics and able to pivot strategies to meet evolving customer and company needs.

Availability for national travel as needed to attend client meetings, industry events, or internal company meetings.

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. A combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.