Account Manager (Sales)

Location: Oxnard,California,United States

Mission Produce is the global leader in the worldwide avocado business, with additional offerings in mangos. Since 1983, we have invested in people, state-of-the-art technology, and avocado-specific and ripening infrastructure to expertly serve our customers, growers, and partners in over 25 countries. We own and operate four packing facilities in multiple global locations including California, Mexico, and Peru. Our global distribution network includes 12 forward distribution centers in North America, China, and Europe, which promote company expansion into new territories and categories. Throughout our history, we have remained rooted in honesty, respect, and loyalty to provide a year-round supply of high-quality fruit from field to fork.

JOB SUMMARY

The Account Manager (AM) is responsible for the management of sales and relationships with assigned customers. An AM maintains the company’s existing relationships with key customers so that they will continue buying from Mission Produce and develops opportunities to grow sales. The AM serves to understand the customer’s demands, plans how to meet these demands, and generates sales for the company as a result. Account managers serve as the primary interface between the customer and Mission and serves as the liaison across functions that service customers. Cross-functional collaboration includes customer service, transportation, accounting and finance, inventory, sourcing, category management, marketing and sales.

The successful Account Manager will find and develop new business opportunities and create value for current customers which correlates to high customer satisfaction.  The AM will manage all day-to-day business activities and develop key account business plans by understanding and utilizing industry data.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Generate sales for assigned customers to achieve volume and revenue objectives.
• Create long term relationships with customers and grow Mission’s share of business within the assigned accounts.
• Identify new sales opportunities within customers by selling value added services, strategic planning, relationship management, negotiation, leadership, and innovative solutions.
• Utilize available data to identify and act upon business opportunities. Conduct regular business reviews with customers and make recommendations on how to improve business results. Leverage data insights to create selling stories.
• Execute marketing programs by supporting customers initiatives to drive sales and analyzing category management methods
• Manage and solve conflicts with customers that may arise due to circumstances beyond your control.
• Act as the customer expert and provide specific information regarding how to best serve the customer.
• Communicate to the customer as needed regarding daily operations and keep the customer updated.
• Interact and coordinate with other Mission employees that support the customers business.
• Meet time deadlines internally and externally.
• Quote pricing weekly, monthly, or as requested by the customer, as approved by Sales senior management.
• Forecast account volume to ensure adequate supply is on hand and meets customer demand.
• Solve any invoice discrepancies in conjunction with accounts receivable to ensure customers pay for product received.
• Attend account meetings, trade shows, and industry networking events to nurture strong customer relationships

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field and/or equivalent of a minimum of 5 years’ work experience in sales, customer service
• Excellent communication skills to effectively conduct business over the phone and via email, involving prospecting, selling, and servicing new and existing customers
• Demonstrative ability to emphasize features, benefits, and advantages of products and/or services, quotes prices and availability of products
• Experience working with syndicated databases (IRI) and consumer insight data
• Outstanding ability to gather and submit detailed business information for presentations and solutions to identify prospects and existing customers
• Provide excellent customer service, and possess written and verbal skills for communication (e.g., price quotes, sales proposals, product information, etc.) with customers to exchange information and review and analyze customer’s demands
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, and use good judgment, and act decisively in emergency and high-pressure situations
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Willingness to work wit