National Account Manager
18 days ago
Winston-Salem
Job DescriptionDescription: At Garner Foods, we don’t just offer jobs, we invest in futures. That’s why we provide one of the most competitive health plans in the industry, designed to support your well-being every step of the way. From comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage to competitive pay, generous time off, and real career development, our benefits are built to help you grow, personally and professionally. We believe in balance, opportunity, and rewarding the hard work you bring every day. Whether you're building your career or taking it to the next level, Garner Foods is where your journey begins and where it can truly thrive. This is a field-based role with frequent travel. Candidates located in Atlanta, GA or Dallas–Fort Worth, TX are strongly preferred; other major hub markets may be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates. The National Account Manager (NAM) is responsible for driving strategic growth with multi-unit and national restaurant chains across the United States. This role partners closely with the Director of National Accounts to expand Garner Foods’ footprint within the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and broader foodservice landscape. The NAM leads enterprise level customer relationships, develops customized programs for national operators, and collaborates cross functionally to ensure flawless execution from ideation through distribution. Customer & Consumer Focus (40%) • Build deep expertise in Garner Foods’ product portfolio and its application within national chain environments., • Conduct market and operator specific research to identify menu trends, competitive activity, and innovation opportunities relevant to national accounts., • Serve as the primary point of contact for national and multi-unit customers, ensuring timely, professional responses to operator and consumer inquiries., • Manage customer program execution, including pricing, contracts, promotional calendars, and product transitions., • Strengthening relationships with key decisionmakers across national operators, brokers, distributors, and industry partners to support long term growth. Company Alignment & Collaboration (30%) • Utilize internal business tools and internal systems to support accurate forecasting, planning, and customer performance tracking., • Partner with supply chain, operations, customer service, and logistics teams to ensure seamless execution of national programs and product availability., • Collaborate with marketing on national account specific promotions, menu ideation, and brand activation opportunities., • Work closely with forecasting and inventory teams to maintain appropriate stock levels for national programs and LTOs., • Provide strategic input for annual sales planning, budgeting, and customer specific growth strategies. Sales & Profit Generation (30%) • Achieve annual sales, profit, and trade budget targets for assigned national accounts., • Identify and pursue new national and multi-unit opportunities, including menu placements, LTOs, and distribution expansion., • Manage trade spending, contract pricing, and SGA allocations to ensure profitable growth., • Build and maintain strong relationships with national account stakeholders to drive incremental revenue and long-term partnerships. National Accounts–Specific Duties • Lead sales strategy and execution for assigned national and multi-unit accounts across the U.S., • Develop customized programs, presentations, and culinary ideation materials tailored to national operator needs., • Attend industry events, food shows, and culinary ideations to support customer engagement and brand visibility., • Identify and target emerging national and regional chains with high growth potential., • Monitor customer performance, distribution, and compliance across all channels and distributors., • Work independently and collaboratively to execute national account strategies and deliver on customer commitments., • Work closely with the Director to develop and implement initiatives that strengthen and grow the non-commercial sector, focusing on customer expansion, and long-term sustainability throughout the country., • Complete projects and other responsibilities as directed by leadership. Requirements: • Minimum 5 years of sales experience, ideally in national accounts, food service, or retail., • Experience working with brokers, national distributors, and multi-unit operators, and non-commercial accounts strongly preferred., • Proven success managing national or large multi-unit customers and exceeding sales targets., • Strong understanding of foodservice industry dynamics, menu trends, and operator decision processes., • Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional and customer stakeholders., • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data, distribution reports, and customer insights., • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple national programs, timelines, and priorities., • Ability to travel 60–70% as needed to support national account relationships and industry events., • Proficiency in Microsoft applications including BI tools, Outlook, Excel, Word, and related systems., • High ethical standards and professionalism in representing Garner Foods with national partners., • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft applications including BI, Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.