Key Account Manager

**Job Description**:
**OVERVIEW**

The Key Account Manager - Blue Buffalo supporting Grocery/Food/Drug/Mass will be responsible for executing the go to market strategy and managing the day to day business between Blue Buffalo and our customers. This individual will be tasked in developing and executing initiatives to drive sustainable growth including innovation, promotions and marketing campaigns. You will need to leverage your strong influential leadership, previous retailer experience & cross-functional expertise to set strategies that enable both BLUE and our current/potential customers to win. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate strategic thinking, negotiation skills, as well as someone who can flawlessly execute, drive a culture of inclusion, and deliver personal accountability. Another facet of the role will be to identify other Key Accounts in Canada and how we can establish a business with them.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**SELLING EXPERTISE & LEADERSHIP**
- Works closely with Internal and External partners to understand & educate on customer strategies/ priorities/ tactics/ policies
- Aligns analytics, customer strategy and trade strategies to build an annual merchandising plan for their category/customer
- Lead Joint Business Planning process at grocery accounts & negotiations while accelerating BLUE’s long-term strategies
- Identify new accounts and routes to market to expand the grocery category

**EXECUTIONAL EXCELLENCE**
- Lead regularly scheduled meetings with customers, provide results and opportunities to drive the business
- Lead event execution from initial opportunity through to final event (external concept/opportunity sell-in, participating items, consumer/customer offer, point of sale execution, Special Pack Display confirmation, retail feedback)
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships across all Departments including merchants/buyers, marketing and supply chain
- Completes requirements for account(s) i.e. deal sheets, promotional executions, customer presentation decks inclusive of new product innovation reviews
- Budget, plan and track promotional events with accounts
- Present innovative solutions, items and rollout plans in timely fashion that meet the accounts needs

**PROBLEM SOLVING & ANALYTICS**
- Analyze and summarize key business learnings and sales trends from your areas of responsibilities back to the BLUE Business
- Identify customer-specific strategic initiative opportunities, leveraging analytics and financial acumen to operationalize both internally and externally.
- Integrate customer data and knowledge of BLUE Buffalo’s strategies to make promotional and assortment recommendations
- Unlock efficiencies through process improvement and promotional analysis

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS**
- Must be a Pet enthusiast
- 3+ years in consumer packaged goods account management experience
- Strong knowledge of customer sales systems (Loblaws, Sobey's, Metro, Nielsen, IRI & dunnhumby)
- Must be able to analyze data and extrapolate insights that translate into results
- Ability to multitask and thrive in fast paced, growing business environment
- Ability to work in a team setting, display excellent communication skills and interpersonal qualities
- Possess the talent to interface directly and effectively with all levels within the organization
- Strong negotiation skills, with ability to follow-through
- Able to travel occasionally, 10% overnight travel and some weekend work
- Must be able to lift up to 30lbs
- Strong sales, planning, organization, leadership, teamwork skills and proficient in software packages (Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint)

**PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS**
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Blingual (French/English) is an asset
- Food/Drug/Mass retail experience working with pet product distributors is a plus

**ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS**:

- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in Canada. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for a Canadian work visa.
- International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of Canada) will not be considered.