Account Manager

Summary

Custom Flavors is hiring a field-based Account Manager to manage customer relationships and grow revenue across an assigned territory. The role serves as the primary commercial contact, develops new and existing business, negotiates agreements, forecasts sales, and coordinates with internal R&D, Applications, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, and Customer Service teams to deliver flavor solutions for food, beverage, and supplement applications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all customer accounts within an assigned territory or account portfolio
• Build, maintain, and develop strong, long-lasting customer relationships
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and supply agreements within established company guidelines and approval limits to achieve revenue and margin targets
• Develop new business with existing customers by identifying new project opportunities and expanding product adoption to meet assigned sales goals
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new customer accounts within the assigned territory, in coordination with the Business Development Coordinator
• Develop sales forecasts and track key account metrics (e.g., pipeline, quarterly sales results, and annual forecasts)
• Resolve customer requests and escalations, including complaints, documentation requests, and order concerns, in coordination with Customer Service, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory
• Maintain accurate and timely records of customer contacts, opportunities, and activities in the CRM system
• Conduct in-person sales calls at customer and prospect locations within the assigned territory, and represent Custom Flavors at trade shows and local and national industry events
• Maintain working knowledge of Custom Flavors’ products, capabilities, and food, beverage, and supplement applications to support technical sales conversations
• Communicate customer project requirements (e.g., flavor profile, application, cost targets, and regulatory or certification needs) to R&D, the Applications Lab, and other internal teams, and track projects through sample submission, customer evaluation, and commercialization
• Ensure commitments made to customers regarding specifications, pricing, and lead times are consistent with company capabilities, policies, and applicable standard operating procedures
• Additional duties as assigned

Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate with all colleagues, levels of management, vendors, and customers
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple accounts, projects, and deadlines concurrently
• Working knowledge of applicable standard operating procedures
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
• Proficiency with CRM software and the Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to maintain confidential company and customer information, including formulas, pricing, and project details
• Understanding of flavor applications and the technical, regulatory, and cost considerations involved in customer product development
• Ability to work independently and manage an assigned territory with minimal supervision
• A valid driver's license, proof of automobile insurance, and an acceptable driving record are required when driving on company business
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3+ years of B2B sales experience in specialty food ingredients, flavors, or a related food or beverage ingredient industry
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field preferred
• Experience with CRM and ERP systems (HubSpot, Salesforce, or similar) preferred
• Established relationships with food, beverage, or supplement manufacturers preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Ability to effectively communicate with all colleagues, levels of management, vendors, and customers
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple accounts, projects, and deadlines concurrently
• Working knowledge of applicable standard operating procedures
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
• Proficiency with CRM software and the Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to maintain confidential company and customer information, including formulas, pricing, and project details
• Understanding of flavor applications and the technical, regulatory, and cost considerations involved in customer product development
• Ability to work independently and manage an assigned territory with minimal supervision
• A valid driver's license, proof of automobile insurance, and an acceptable driving record are required when driving on company business
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3+ years of B2B sales experience in specialty food ingredients, flavors, or a related food or beverage ingredient industry

Nice to Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field preferred
• Experience with CRM and ERP systems (HubSpot, Salesforce, or similar) preferred
• Established relationships with food, beverage, or supplement manufacturers preferred

Benefits

• This is a remote, field-based position.
• The employee works from a home office within or near the assigned territory.