Key Account Specialist, Costco

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose:

The individual in this role will work closely with the National Account Manager (NAM) to craft, deploy, and oversee strategic programs and promotional campaigns for the Costco account. Additionally, they will conduct thorough sales analysis, offer customer support for designated accounts, and collaborate with the NAM to ensure alignment with customer needs, company sales objectives, and profitability targets. Additionally, they will strive to enhance operational efficiencies and identify further sales opportunities.

Sales and Account Management

• Prepare, organize, and lead divisional calls with regional teams to effectively pursue assigned goals and objectives
• Provide sales and promotional recommendations to the National Account Manager (NAM) based on meticulous sales and trend analysis with Circana.
• Collaborate with the NAM to establish and uphold a comprehensive master customer presentation timeline for the entire year, encompassing both regular and seasonal business requirements, including reset schedules.
• Utilize syndicated and proprietary data to deliver in-depth analysis and actionable insights, supporting the sustained growth of Lindt & Sprungli. Regularly report data findings and insights on an as-needed basis.
• Monitor customer profitability and scrutinize monthly trade spending through customer P&L analysis, including the management of TPM in alignment with the NAM and RGM in close collaboration with Trade Finance, to ensure the overall profitability of Lindt & Sprungli USA.
• Forge strong direct relationships with customers' inventory/logistics teams and Lindt customer service to ensure alignment on all ordering and replenishment recommendations.
• Develop and maintain an extensive understanding of the Lindt & Sprungli product portfolio and brand positioning to optimize sales efforts, employing fact-based selling strategies. Stay abreast of brand strategy and promotional initiatives that impact the business and are of significance to customers.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Conduct routine promotional analysis to assess efficiency and effectiveness of trade spending and make recommendations as needed to optimize future planning and support initiatives.
• Partner with management to align accurate monthly rolling forecasts in the planning systems.
• Create full year sales planning tool by customer/product group/product to plan both GTS and NTS volume.
• Collaborate with Demand Consensus Group (including Finance, the planning group and Marketing) to deliver information that provides value to each of their respective departments.

Order & Inventory Management

• Track orders vs. commitments for everyday and seasonal programs to ensure compliance.