National Account Manager

The National Account Manager is responsible for driving growth, developing strategic partnerships, and overseeing the management of key retail accounts at a national level. 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. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Act as the primary point of contact for assigned national retail accounts, ensuring consistent and high-quality service to meet customer expectations. * 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, resolving 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 national 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 national 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. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: * Education: Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. A combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered. * Experience: 3+ years of experience in national sales, marketing, or account management. Experience managing large national retail or CPG accounts is strongly preferred. * Additional Experience: Experience with item data management and e-commerce is a plus. * 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. ABOUT LEWIS BAKERIES: Lewis Bakeries is a family owned and operated company that was started by three brothers in 1925 in Anna, Illinois. Lewis primarily bakes loaf bread, buns and rolls under branded products such as Bunny Bread, Lewis Bake Shop, Healthy Life, as well as other brands. Bakery facilities are located in LaPorte, Ft. Wayne, Vincennes, and Evansville, Indiana, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Our heritage has been one of quality and reliability since 1925. Every day the Lewis family and their caring associates rise to the challenge of baking the very best bakery products with a forward-thinking passion for growth and innovation. WHAT MAKES US GREAT: * Experienced, stable company - Family-owned, founded in 1925 * Competitive salary * Excellent benefits package - Low-cost medical & dental, 401k, and company-paid life & disability insurance * Paid vacation and holidays * Relocation assistance available Lewis Bakeries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or Vietnam era or other protected veteran status. All candidates must successfully complete a background check, drug test and reference check for further consideration. #lbmanagement

Created: 2025-01-11