NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – NORTHEAST, US

To save time applying, Applegate Farms does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

ABOUT APPLEGATE FARMS

Founded in 1987, Applegate Farms, LLC produces high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Our products are made without GMO ingredients, and we source from farms where animals are treated with care and respect and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of our mission – Changing The Meat We Eat®.

Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate natural means our food is:

From animals Applegate humanely raised without antibiotics, added hormones or growth promotants
From animals fed a vegetarian or pasture-centered diet (our beef is 100 percent grass-fed)
Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives

Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Continuously assess customer goals and strategies to determine optimal sales plans for company which are aligned with the strategic role of the customer and focused on driving profitable growth. Use on-line customer specific data to identify and develop action plans satisfying customer needs.
Leads broker partners in driving the Applegate portfolio at assigned customers and territory.
Penetrate and maintain an active relationship and dialogue with the customer at all levels of organization: senior leadership, buyer, etc. Includes field selling with Region Ops VP's and Directors of Operations.
Collaborate with Sales Strategy to develop comprehensive and aligned annual account plans. These plans include weekly base and promotional forecasting and Trade budget management, and annual promotional calendar planning.
Lead business development across the 4 Controllables: Pricing, promotion, shelf management, and distribution working with the appropriate individuals in marketing, supply chain, finance, and management to develop and implement tactical business plans.
Actively communicate cross-functionally with company departments Sales Strategy, Customer Operations, and E-Commerce to gain alignment and support to deliver the Annual Operating Plan.
Effectively manage all areas of business responsibilities for effective customer plan execution including, but not limited to forecasting, internal and external communication, reporting, deductions, and administrative responsibilities
Facilitates communication between brokers and support functions, i.e., Customer Service and Regional Marketing.
Applies effective sales techniques creating a need in the customer's mind. Guides others in understanding and acting upon Customer, Consumer, and Industry insights. Partners with customer to identify needs and enable customer satisfaction.
Utilizes competitive information benchmarking our performance and understands strategic implications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience
Minimum 5 years sales experience in a consumer-packaged goods industry
Strong leadership skills, demonstrates the ability to lead and motivate others to achieve annual objectives.
Strong communication skills both oral and written.
Ability to create, influence and negotiate long term win/win business relationships.
Highly motivated with strong field sales leadership at customer level - must have managed, written, activated customer operating plans with positive results.
Demonstrated ability to work across multiple management levels within customer and leverage relationships to achieve results.
Strong trade planning, category management and analysis skills
Strong technical skills and understanding of Applegate financials including P&L impact of sales decisions.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States
Applicants must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa

LOCATION:Remote Home Office in the Northeast United States

TRAVEL:Up to 30%

BENEFITS:Applegate Farms offers an excellent benefits package. Competitive base salary plus bonus, annual merit increase performance reviews, medical, dental, vision, profit sharing, 401(k), stock purchase plan, personal paid time. Relocation Assistance Program to eligible applicants, FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Hormel and Applegate we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

The base pay range for this position $93,000 to $116,000 per year; however, actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills set, level of experience, and specific office location.